Askam 22 Hindpool 35

A SLICK Hindpool Tigers side roared to victory over Askam in the Barrow and District League Top Four final at Craven Park.

Jamie McIlroy put in a man-of-the-match performance as he shone for the Tigers.

Hindpool quickly went ahead when winger Connor McDermott went over in the corner in the fourth minute.

But Askam battled back and, when the ball was moved up field, Gareth Richards gathered at pace to crash over the line, with Brad Jackson adding the extras.

The score lifted Askam in the Mike Marsh Contractors-sponsored-competition, as the pacey Chris Vanstone increased the Villagers’ lead when he scored out wide.

Hindpool came back after Mike Kummer made good yards and, when the ball was moved across the line, McIlroy gave a timely pass to Adam Marton, who went over the whitewash.

The Tigers were playing with bags of confidence and regained the lead when Phil Cubiss’s kick over the Askam defence saw the ball moved out wide.

McIlroy’s crossfield kick allowed Connor Goodings to gather and score.

Askam battled back, but Brad Rowan picked up a loose ball and dashed up field.

Kummer continued the attack and Joe Wrightwebb finished off the move. With Gooding adding the kick, Hindpool went into the interval 18-10 ahead.

That lead was soon stretched to 22-10 when Dale Sneezby, on the overlap, touched down.

Again Askam refused to surrender as Vanstone, Tom Askew and Iestyn Humphries combined to put the Villagers within a yard of the Hindpool line.

Richards got over the whitewash only to be held up, however the ball was moved across the line for Luke Holloway to go over and Jackson converted.

Askam attacked again but disaster struck when a Vanstone pass was intercepted by Shannon Robinson, who had a clear run to the line to increase Hindpool’s lead, with Goodings adding the extras.

The Tigers increased their lead after Askam were penalised for holding down in the tackle as they moved the ball swiftly for McIlroy to find a gap in the Askam defence to score, with Goodings again on target.

Askam kept plugging away and were unlucky after Casson got over the try line only to lose the ball.

But they were rewarded when Brad Kavanagh scored with Jackson converting.

Hindpool had the last say after Cubiss put over a drop goal to give his side a well-earned victory.