Barrow Island 46 (10) Ulverston 38 (2)

BARROW Island won a superb Harry Warman Cup final on the handicap after a nip-and-tuck match finished 36-all after 80 minutes on the night.

Their 10-point start, as opposed to Ulverston’s two points, proved the difference after an enthralling encounter at Craven Park.

Ulverston went in front on five minutes, with Luke Bates crossing when the ball was moved across the line.

Barrow Island hit back when Joe Elliott took the ball at pace five yards out and went over under the posts. Mike Pearce converted for 6-4.

The game opened up when Island prop Matty Sayle put in a telling run after a Pearce kick through.

Ulverston full-back Harry Reed made good yards and when his team were awarded a penalty for ball stealing Duane ‘Dinger’ Bell took the ball at pace to crash over and make it 8-6.

Island were next on the scoresheet when Brandon Howard went over from close range, with Pearce’s kick putting them 12-8 up.

The score spurred the Rating Lane side on as Luke Cresswell put in a 25-yard run and passed to Sayle, who took the ball 15 yards before moving it wide to Aaron Smith, who went over. Pearce again converted.

Ulverston loose forward Marc Dixon, who had a fine game, responded as he took the ball on a sidestepping run to put his side within 20 yards of the try-line. Play was moved wide and Connor Saunders put in a cross-field kick to the corner, with Declan McDonald on hand to palm the ball back to Luke Bates, who scored for 18-12.

Right on half-time, Barrow Island were penalised for a high tackle and Bell slotted over the penalty to cut the gap to four points.

The second half started with Island putting pressure on the Ulverston try-line.

But Dixon picked up a loose pass and moved the ball to Saunders, who parted to McDonald 30 yards out.

The ball went to ground with a clear run to the line. Pearce picked up the loose ball and ran 30 yards run before parting to Reece Craig, who went over to score. Pearce converted for 24-14.

Ulverston gave away two quick penalties and Island took advantage with Sayle touching down and Pearce converting.

Once again, Ulverston hit back as man-of-the-match Dixon took play deep and the ball was moved out wide for wingman Matty Dean to score. Bell converted for 30-20.

The never-say-die attitude of the Dragley Beck men was again on show as Saunders made a 30-yard break and Dean was held short. From the play the ball, Mike McKevitt crashed over.

Ulverston had their tails up and drew level when Dixon got his just reward for a fine game and scored under the posts. Saunders converted for 30-all.

They had the chance to go in front when full-back Reed gave a timely pass to Dean, but he stepped into touch.

From the scrum, Luke Cresswell took the ball at pace to go on a 40-yard run to the line. Pearce converted.

Once again, Ulverston replied as Dixon made good yards and gave a neat inside ball to Bell, who crashed over under the posts. Saunders converted to make it 36-36 at the final whistle.

Referee: Terry Bewley. Touch Judges: Rob McAloone, Seb Chromiak.