Hensingham U12s 16 Walney Central U12s 34

WALNEY Central made it fourth time lucky in the Under-12s Cumbria Cup final, as they defeated Hensingham to claim the crown.

Cents lifted the trophy at Whitehaven's Recreation Ground, beating the West Cumbrians 34-16 to end a run of three years when the title was so elusive.

Walney, coached by Mike Whitehead and Dave Hellyer, started like a house on fire, and were soon into their stride.

After strong runs from Joseph Hill, Isaac Bibby and Joseph Hunter, Toby Wilson whipped the ball out to the impressive Joe Green, who ran 50 yards – swatting off would-be tacklers like flies – to score under the posts.

Finley Dutton Rosconi converted for 6-0.

Walney were back on the scoresheet within minutes, as more good work from Isaac Thomason, Bethany Anderton and Liam Buck paved the way for full-back Zac Whitehead to join the line. He skipped past the Hensingham defence to score and Rosconi converted.

After some good yards from Walney, led by Joss Edwards' mesmerising side-steps and Lewis McCracken's intelligent running, it was Hensingham's turn to attack.

Only brutal defence from the likes of Evan Rushton, Rosconie and Green prevented Hensingham crossing.

Rushton quickly gained 40 yards through his powerful, direct running, and after good work from Hill, Bibby and Rosconie, Wilson popped the ball out to Green.

He again combined his speed and power to round the Hensinghan defence and score under the posts for 18-0.

The West Cumbrians eventually scored as their big forward Harvey Hill crashed over out wide to cut the gap to 18-4.

But Walney had the final say at the end of the first half as Hunter, Thomason and Buck combined to send Whitehead scampering away for another 40-yard effort to the delight of the travelling Cents contingent. Rosconi added the extras.

Walney were looking like running away with the match, but Hensingham had other ideas, and soon hit back to make the score 24-10 after the break.

Rushton relieved Hensingham pressure with his textbook tackling and surging runs, but Cents were penalised on the last tackle after great defence from Edwards, Anderton and Kian Goude.

This meant Cents had to defend for their lives, but it was only a matter of time before the ball went to Hensingham's big prop Hill, who crashed over from 10 yards to make it 24-16.

Hensingham sensed a comeback with 10 minutes remaining and, if it was not for the aggressive tackling of Green, Rushton and Wilson, the score could have been even closer.

But Walney gained possession, with the ball going through several pairs of hands, and Whitehead once again linking up and darting through the defence to complete his hat-trick. Rushton converted.

With Bibby, Buck and McCracken paving the way towards the Hensingham line, it was left to Rosconi and Wilson to combine and send Whitehead through for his fourth try and to end the scoring.

It was a heroic effort from Walney, with a small squad of 14 playing their hearts out in a fine example for any young aspiring team.

Whitehead took the man-of-the-match award, but was pushed closely by Green and Rushton.

The team also made special mentions to Elliott Doughty, who missed the final through a broken wrist, and Anderton, who was the first girl to play in a Cumbria Cup Final for several years.