Last updated at 16:57, Tuesday, 12 February 2013

HAWCOAT were made to fight hard for their 15th consecutive Cumbria League win against a big and strong Silloth unit.

Title
Author
Copyright

Description

The first 10 minutes were evenly-matched, with both teams testing each other out, mainly up front. Park’s first try was a typical of their play this season. They were camped on the Silloth 22, where the outstanding Ashley Mowat took a clean line-out and the rest of the pack were quickly in support to get a drive on.

Scrum half Steve Clarke spotted some space down the blind side and parted to the supporting hooker Adam Grainger, who shot over in the corner. Fly-half James Howden slotted over a great conversion from wide out for 7-0.

As expected, Silloth came right backand slotted over a penalty when Clarke was penalised for not using his arms in a tackle, the referee sending him to the sin-bin.

Another blow for the home side saw Josh Haney go on a long run but pull his troublesome hamstring. However, George Hilton, returning from work commitments, was not a bad replacement.

Hawcoat cranked up the pressure and the second try came. The pack set the platform, with good work by Brad Morrow and Callum Ramsay, before the ball was quickly moved through the backs’ hands. Matt Sayle put fellow centre Chris Burns through a gap and he had the pace to finish off to make it 12-3.

The Silloth full-back was having a good game and made ground every time he had the ball, with one run taking play into the Park 22. Despite the tackling efforts of Tim Clark and Jonny Burrows, eventually their powerful forwards managed to force their way over from close range to allow their back row to touch down, 12-8.

Towards the end of the half Hawcoat again applied some forward pressure. Mowat and Mike Lightfoot were outstanding, the line-out giving Silloth a hard time even on their own ball.

From an attack down the left wing, the ball was moved out wide to the right. Full-back Andy Graham came into the line, scooping up a loose ball and beating his man on the outside to score in the corner, for 17-8. Then, right on half-time Howden slotted over a 30-metre penalty for 20-8.

The second half was a little disappointing as a spectacle, with Silloth very determined opposition and Park struggling to turn their advantage into more tries.

Ten minutes in Howden booted over a drop-goal from in front of the posts and then, frustrated that the fourth try would not come, skipper Jason Priss decided to take matters into his own hands by taking a quick penalty tap and forcing his way over. Howden added the conversion for 30-8.

The icing on the cake came a few minutes from the end, when good work from Liam Ducie and Sam Hilton freed up winger Glen Kaighan, who showed off his good pace and elusive running to race in from 35 metres out to complete the scoring.

First published at 16:42, Tuesday, 12 February 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk