Walney Central 26 Maryport 12

WALNEY made it back-to-back Cumbria League home wins as they rolled over old foes Maryport.

The margin could have been greater for the unbeaten home side though, as they took only some of the many chances created.

Only four minutes in, a superb drive and quick play the ball by the ever-improving Jamie Ralph paved the way for man-of-the-match Matty Elliott to leave the Maryport defence standing, as he sprinted 40 metres to score under the posts. Mike Elliott kicked the goal and Cents held a 6-0 lead.

The visitors responded after a glut of possession, as star man Scott Akhurst went over. Ricky Holt converted to level the scores.

On the half-hour, a Walney purple patch enabled them to take control of the game and build a lead they would not surrender.

Powerful runs from Mike Backhouse and Dave Warne opened the gap for Brad Nicholls to scoot over from close range.

Straight from the kick-off, Walney tore downfield, with Jamie Morrow and Liam Finch making ground before Mike Whitehead fended off several Maryport defenders and offloaded to Jamie Morrow, who crashed through the defence.

Both tries were converted by Mike Elliott and it was 18-6 at the break.

Walney lost their discipline at the start of the second half, gifting Maryport possession. However, the defence stood firm and, against the run of play, they scored another good try.

Finch made the initial break, rounding defenders on a weaving run before sending Jordan Staffieri over for a converted score and a 24-6 lead.

Akhurst scored his second shortly after, goaled by Holt, to give Maryport a glimmer of hope.

But the score woke Walney up and, in the last 20 minutes, they created four clear scoring chances, only to be denied by the referee for forward passes three times and spilling the final pass on another occasion.

With two minutes to go, Mike Elliott kicked a penalty and Walney held out for victory.

In a good all-round team performance, Matty Elliott was the main tormentor, closely followed by Ralph and Backhouse.