ASKAM lifted the Barton Townley Cup for the first time since 2002, with the game hanging nicely in the balance until a 90-yard opportunist try from Tom Wilkinson swung the tie in the Villagers’ favour.

Wilkinson struck fifteen minutes into the second half when he swooped upon a Rickie Donaghue kick to the line and pulled clear of the cover, urged on by the band of Askam supporters, to touch down.

Dan Sayle added the goal for 24-18. Askam kicked on to add a further twelve points, with the Woollybacks rounding off the scoring with a late Chris Warren try.

Askam didn’t have it all their own way but they did touch down on three occasions in the first half, despite not having too much time on attack in Millom territory.

It was the Woollybacks who applied most of the pressure in the first half with Askam’s defence working overtime.

Mark Tyson was to the fore with his deep kicks pinning Millom back as both sets of forwards tested each other. Joe Dowsett and Dan Sayle prompted for the Villagers with the Kelly brothers – Ethan and Dane – in the thick of the action for the opposition.

Askam were up and running after only two minutes on the clock when Sam Dowsett went on his own from a play the ball 20 yards out, rounding Joe Wright with a neat step to score, Sayle adding the goal.

And when Tom Wilkinson made a half break his progress was stopped as Ethan Kelly grabbed his collar.

Millom’s first raid saw Adam Kelly part to Donaghue but his chip to the corner was snapped up by Ethan Guy who made good ground.

And when Askam were penalised for a high tackle they were further punished.

Dane Kelly pushed hard for the line, from where Jonathan Hodgdson had Ethan Kelly coming onto the ball with force to crash over, brother Adam tagging on the goal.

However their joy was short-lived as within five minutes a great crossfield Tyson kick to the corner was snapped out of the air by Tom Butler who touched down for Sayle to convert.

Millom were looking for a quick response as Ethan Kelly took play upfield. Tom Newbiggin and Dane Kelly continued the attack with Gareth Heasley being brought down ten yards out.

From the play the ball Ethan Kelly was smothered by four defenders and held up over the line.

More pressure from the Woollybacks forced two drop outs with relief for Askam when a high kick from Newbiggin over the line saw Owen Myers just fail to gather cleanly.

Against the run of play Askam extended their lead. Tyson sent Russ Bolton to the line, from where Jordan Herdman forced his way over, and Sayle was on target with his kick.

Half asleep, Askam were caught out on the re-start.

Adam Kelly kicked off, the ball rolled over the 10-yard line and with no Askam player in sight, Kelly gathered.

Luke Brady took play deep from where Adam Kelly parted to Joe Wright who sliced through the cover, Kelly adding the extra two for 18-12 at the break.

The second half got under way with Walsh making 45 yards out of defence for the Villagers but it was Millom who hit back on fifty minutes.

Jarty Robinson was held short but swift hands right to left enabled Hodgson to prise open a gap to score, with Kelly levelling the scores at 18-18.

Again their joy was short-lived as Donahgue’s kick to the line was gathered by Wilkinson who pinned back his ears to leave defenders in his wake to cross from 90 yards, Sayle goaling.

On the hour mark neat play from Tyson and Adam Jackson paved the way for Gary Bolton to crash over, Sayle’s goal making it 30-18.

Millom had it all to do but it was Wilkinson who put the game out of their reach when he was on Stu High’s shoulder to go over, Sayle tagging on conversion for six from six with his trusty boot.

Never say die Millom came back strong only to run out of tackles, but they rounded off the scoring with Chris Warren taking Hodgson’s long pass to go in at the corner.

In the final seconds Gareth Heasley was sin- binned for throwing the ball by referee Rob McAloone, who controlled the eighty minutes well.

Askam: R Bolton, Guy, Lewney, T Butler, Walsh, Tyson, Jackson, J Dowsett, S Dowsett, J Butler, G Bolton, Sayle, Wilkinson. Subs used. High, Cockayne, Herdman, Marshall.

Millom: Wright, Myers, Donaghue, Warren, Postlewaite, Hodgson, A Kelly, D Kelly, Newbiggin, Heasley, Shaw, Armstrong, E Kelly. Subs used. Robinson, Harris, Brady, Sykes. Referee Rob McAloone.

Attendance: 683.

Bob Brady Man of the match award: Tom Wilkinson.