Last updated at 16:23, Thursday, 31 March 2011

CUMBRIA Under-17s came within a whisker of clinching the BARLA County Championship with an excellent display against Lancashire.

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RUGBY LEAGUE

A thrilling title-decider at Millom went right down to the wire, with only a late penalty deciding the destination of the trophy.

The county side – whose coaches include Barrow Raiders captain Gary Broadbent, and Hindpool’s Steve Hartle – lost 20-18 in a nail-biter at Devonshire Road, with Jack Jones sealing their fate with the two-pointer close to the death.

Both sides had already beaten Yorkshire in the competition – extended beyond the usual autumn dates due to the harsh weather in November.

The defeat came as a massive disappointment for Cumbria after they had led 18-8 at the interval.

Lancashire’s Jack Jones got on the scoreboard with a try after just nine minutes, but he failed to convert it and Cumbria soon struck back.

Wath Brow Hornets’ Scott Pink raced over the line after 15 minutes and Jordan Fisher, of Kells, converted to take the lead.

Pink then added a second try just four minutes later, with Fisher again on target with the two-pointer.

On the half-hour mark, Gary Kerney crossed the line, with Egremont’s Lewis Beckwith adding the extras.

Lancashire grabbed another unconverted try just before the break, but Cumbria turned around happy with their 18-8 lead.

In the second half, both teams played some good rugby in attack and defence and it was the visitors who crossed for two quick tries, one being converted to level matters.

Then Cumbria gave away a silly penalty and, with the scores locked at 18-18 Jones stepped up to break the Cumbrian hearts and wrest the title from their grasp.

The county squad included six South Cumbrians – Barrow Island trio Ben Gardner, Perry Singleton and Niall Miller, Walney’s Jamie Ralph, Hindpool’s Dale Sneesby and Askam’s Sam Proctor.

First published at 13:05, Thursday, 31 March 2011
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk