Last updated at 14:11, Thursday, 19 November 2009

HIGH RISE: Corney Els (centre) jumps at the line-out as Furness demolish Netherhall STEVE TRAINER

RUGBY UNION

Furness 47 Netherhall 0

A FINE display in less than fine conditions saw Furness move into the top half of the North Lancs/Cumbria League.

A dominant Blue force, well marshalled by Darren Holt could not be stopped by their Cumbrian rivals.

Holt produced a faultless kicking display, with eight kicks from eight attempts and a personal tally of 22 points.

He gave the hosts an early 6-0 lead with two penalties – a lead they would never surrender.

Ian Murray, Andries Venter and Corney Els were always in the thick of things and the impressive Rich Nolan got an early reward for his tireless efforts as he completed a move that started back in the Furness half, scoring the first of Furness’ five tries of the afternoon.

Holt added the extras and Furness were up and running at 13-0.

Another penalty as Netherhall tried to slow things down was followed by a second try.

This time it was centre Craig McLean who powered down the line, finding his partner Andrew Brannon.

When the move looked to have died, Holt took it on himself and slipped a perfect ball to Nick Beach, who danced down the touchline and stepped inside the defence, 23-0.

Furness were on top in all areas and finished the first session with Richard Smith stealing a Netherhall scrum ball and breakthrough the surprised defence.

McLean was in support and took the try-scoring pass, Holt obliging again and Furness went into the break with an impressive lead of 30 unanswered points.

Mike Botes came on for Murray and immediately entered the action, driving hard out of defence following an early second-half Netherhall attack.

Furness were trying to ignore the conditions, but there were, inevitably, mistakes.

However, the Blues were always adventurous and Els made many hard yards to set up the Furness attacks.

Holt mixed things up with a neat chip, Beach collected and pressed deep into the Netherhall half, earning a penalty that Holt converted for 33-0.

Netherhall rallied briefly, but Botes and the forwards drove tremendously down the middle of the pitch, Joe Mallinson and Leon Sweet instrumental.

Holt took play to Netherhall again and the energetic Els found himself the final receiver to touch down, Holt added the two points and Furness reached 40 points.

Chris Dalton played the second period for Alan Gwynne and he joined Holt and Beach to send the ball out to the wide right. Mathew Studt, on for Matt McCree, received the ball and the speedy winger out-paced the closing Netherhall defence, stepped inside then out to score a classic winger’s try in the Strawberry corner.

Holt defied the conditions for a touchline conversion and a final, impressive, score of 47-0.

Despite the conditions, Furness were prepared to risk the odd mistake and Netherhall did not have an answer to the home team’s complete control.

Brockbank got the nod as the Furness man-of-the-match.

This weekend should be a blank Saturday for Furness. However, depending upon the league’s ruling, they may have to travel to St Benedicts to play their previously-postponed game.

First published at 12:56, Thursday, 19 November 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk