WALNEY Cents won through to the Cumbria Cup semi-final with a hard-fought win over a big Seaton side.
Right from the off Seaton tore into the Walney defence and it was no surprise when their big forward Tom Curwen broke through to create a try out wide for the visitors.
Cents finally found their feet on 15 minutes and took a 6-4 lead with a Jamie Morrow try and Brad Nicholls conversion.
Straight from the kick-off Seaton lost possession of the ball and half-backs Nicholls and Morrow linked well to send Stu Tippett upfield before he sent Jordan Staffieri crashing over the try-line for another score, converted by Nicholls.
Cents increased their lead when a Jamie Ralph offload sent Jamie Morrow towards the line.
He rounded defenders before sending a long ball to Connor Pearce for a good score out wide and a 16-4 lead.
On the half hour a bizarre three-minute spell saw Walney lose three players.
Firstly Stu Tippett was red-carded when he was adjudged to have taken Seaton’s Lewis Mason high as he went over the Walney try-line.
Then Cents also lost Liam Finch and Jordan Staffieri to injury, prompting a major reshuffle.
Right on half-time and against the run of play a superb break by Walney’s man of the match Nicholls was carried on by Morrow who sent Mike Backhouse sprinting 30 metres for a fine try.
Nicholls converted and 12-man Walney had a 22-8 lead at the break.
Seaton’s big pack came out fired-up and pulled the score back to 22-14 with a converted try before another good show and go break from Nicholls sent Pearce under the posts for his second, converted once again by Nicholls.
Three minutes later following a Backhouse break, Nicholls once again broke through the Seaton defence to score a good individual try.
Seaton responded with another try, giving them some hope of a comeback, but Ethan Furness crashed over from acting half to seal the win and earn a semi-final date with Cumbria League leaders Distington.
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