BARROW Island took Route 66 as they marched to victory over Cockermouth in the West Cumbria League at Rating Lane.

The hosts made it three wins from three and bounced back from their Cumbria Cup exit at the hands of Wath Brow Hornets in their previous match.

Island were quick to force an error from kick-off, with Ben Chinn, Mitchell Nicholson and Sam Johnson involved in a tackle that saw Cockermouth lose control on their own 40-metre line after some tough defence.

The Barrow side picked up from the scrum, with Harry Higgins, Alfie Thomas and Elliott Campbell hitting hard up the middle to set them up on Cockermouth’s line. Quick ball from Shane Sanderson at dummy half found Matty Brown, who was too strong for the defence and crashed over from short range.

Theb re-start saw the hard yards made up the middle again and, on the fourth tackle, Island worked the ball well, with Sanderson picking out Johnson, who found Rob Salt. He timed the pass well to split the defence and send over Luke Worrall-Thompson for the first of his five tries.

Cockermouth came back with some good running from Allaker and Rhodes, but they knocked-on on the third tackle.

Higgins again came from the back of the scrum and Nicholson made good yardage before Island set up the same play, this time Joe Dalton providing the pass for Salt, who again split the defence for Worrall-Thompson to finish.

There was no let-up from the home side, as Jack Newby and Campbell made good ground to put them 40 metres out.

Sanderson found Thomas from dummy half and he broke the line with only the full-back to beat, finishing well to the left of the sticks after leaving the last defender on the floor. Cockermouth again kicked back to Island, but Joe Lashley, the Newcastle Falcons RU flanker playing only his fourth RL game and showing signs of improvement all the time, ran deep.

Cavan Murt and Will Martin scooted from dummy half, with Sanderson picking up, and a sweet pass saw Thomas hit up hard again. He tipped the ball on to Salt, who found Worrall-Thompson on a great line to finish to the left of the sticks.

Cockermouth would not give up, but on Island’s next set they made good ground again. Newby made a good run and broke the tackle to find Worrall-Thompson for his fourth try.

By this time, the young Cockermouth side were feeling the pressure. Island kept coming and Brown broke and showed pace to finish the first of two quickfire tries.

The visitors tried to find a head of steam and made some great breaks through Broster and Seward, but were thwarted on the last by good defence from Lashley, Newby and Campbell.

The turnaround saw Salt scoot on a 50-metre break, with Johnson taking the ball and showing good footwork to finish.

Further scores were added later from Luke Thompson from a great individual break, Worrall-Thompson for his fifth, and Brown for his fourth, while Dalton kicked nine from 12 goals.

Island travel to Wath Brow tomorrow looking to reverse their cup defeat from last month.