IT was almost dark by the time the referee blew the final whistle to bring the second match of this year’s Three Counties Series on Saturday to a close, but hosts Cumbria illuminated a dank, grey day by withstanding an onslaught from Lancashire to edge a pulsating encounter.

The showdown at Millom had just about everything; big hits, scintillating attacks, individual skills, a bit of controversy and a healthy dollop of edge-of-your-seat drama, warming those spectators huddled on the sidelines in the freezing rain.

And, ultimately, it had a 16-14 victory for Cumbria, who no doubt felt justice was done after being cruelly denied by the same margin in the previous weekend’s tri-series opener away to Yorkshire.

This time, it was Lancashire who suffered late heartache – first when centre Conor Parkinson thought he had got the ball down under the posts only for the referee to deem him held up, and secondly when Matt Whitehead missed a penalty kick at goal into the wind.

Not that the hosts were just fortunate though. Indeed, their tenacious defence and willingness to work for each other was a significant factor. So to was the display from skipper Blain Marwood, who led from the front and got the try which set Connor Saunders up to kick what proved to be the winning points.

There was little between the teams in the opening quarter, but Lancashire made a spell of pressure count in the 20th minute when stand-off Whitehead powered over for an unconverted try.

Cumbria hit back 10 minutes later though, with Askam full-back Russ Bolton finishing a good attack after being set up by Peter Rimmer, followed by Ulverston half-back Saunders kicking the conversion to put them ahead.

The home side had extended their lead to 10-4 at half time thanks to Saunders putting through a deft kick on the last tackle which was chased down from 20 metres out by winger Jonathan Walsh, who dived on it for an unconverted try wide on the right.

However, Lancashire pulled the deficit back to two six minutes into the second half when a quick attack from a penalty was finished in the corner by Nathan Taylor – and then went ahead on 50 minutes after Ryan Hilyard was on the end of a counter-attack from broken play for a try which Whitehead converted.

Cumbria rallied though and it was Barrow Island hooker Marwood who provided the spark of inspiration, spotting a gap and darting through it for a try to level the scores as the clock ticked over into the final 15 minutes, followed by Saunders converting.

Lancashire pressed looking for an opportunity, but were denied time and time again. Every time they threatened the line, Cumbria seemed to have numbers there to make crucial tackles on the line, not least when they somehow managed to get enough bodies in the way to prevent centre Parkinson from scoring.

Cumbria were not to be denied and the win means the destiny of this year’s Three Counties title comes down to next Sunday’s trans-Pennine clash between Lancashire and Yorkshire at Leigh, where victory for the Red Rose county would mean the final standings go to a tie-breaker.

Cumbria: Russ Bolton; Jonathan Walsh, Luke Penrice, Bobby Wright, Emerson Allen; Adam Jackson, Connor Saunders; Liam Saunders, Blain Marwood, Carl McBain, Peter Rimmer, Liam McNicholas, Callum Kinraid. Interchange: Jonny Hodgson, Josh Banham, Jason Graham.

Lancashire: Ryan Hilyard; Deacon Monks, Conor Parkinson, Deane Meadows, Nathan Taylor; Matt Whitehead, Adam Holland; Jimmy Connaughton, Matthew Meaden, Johnny Rae, Gavin Roddan, Liam Whalley, Zac Baker. Interchange: Hayden James, Josh Donahue, Ryan Braddock, Aaron Smith.