BARROW Island booked their place in the Cumbria League Top Four final with an emphatic performance in defeating Walney Central 42-24 at Rating Lane.

Island cruised to victory, although they had a scare as the game went into the final 20 minutes when Cents staged an unlikely comeback despite being down to eleven men.

Island had built up a commanding 34-6 lead when a free-for-all developed as Sam Jones crash-tackled Liam Finch. The Cents player lost possession and threw a punch to the face of Jones.

Several players became involved and when order was restored, Finch was sent to the dressing room for an early bath accompanied by Jamie Morrow who was dismissed for running in and punching.

From that point on the under-strength Cents rocked the home side by running in three converted tries in a 12-minute spell making it 34-24. However, late tries from Jake Carter and a first at senior level for Brandon Corrie sealed a well-earned victory and a trip up the coast in two weeks’ time.

Island played scintillating rugby with fine tries coming from great attacking play. But it was the lads from over the Jubilee Bridge who went into a 6-0 lead. It was from a play-the-ball that Brad Nicholls switched play and coming onto the ball at pace was their best player Carl McBain who touched down. Matt Elliott added the conversion.

Island came back strongly and two successive penalties proved costly for the Cents as swift hands from Jamie Curtis, Ian Irvine and Carter paved the way for Sam Attard to cross out wide. Carter added the goal for 6-6.

On ten minutes Island took a lead they were not to surrender. Again sweeping play downfield involving Irvine, Blain Marwood and Perry Singleton created space for Gareth Shaw to touch down. Carter’s touchline kick sailed high and between the posts.

Walney almost responded. Matty Elliott made a telling break, sending Morrow racing for the line, but on hand with a try-saving tackle was Marwood. From the play-the-ball Jordan Staffieri was halted inches short.

Island came under the cosh after giving away two penalties but they stood firm in defence with no way through for the Cents as Declan Gavin went close before again running out of tackles. With 32 minutes on the clock Island stretched their lead with good approach work from Irvine and Jones sending Scott Hadwin over the whitewash, Carter adding the extra two for 18-6.

More pressure saw Jones held up, but from the re-start the ball flowed crossfield for Irvine to chip ahead. The ball rebounded off a defender allowing Shaw to nip in and score, Carter making it 24-6 with the kick.

Walney worked hard for points but finding a way through was difficult, although Gavin went close as half-time approached.

Two minutes into the second half and Attard was denied a touchdown, a forward pass being ruled in the build-up.

When Morrow tried to send Ethan Furness away in the next raid, the ball went into the arms of Ryan Clegg who made 40 yards upfield from where Irvine sent Dan Wright crashing over. It was soon 34-6 when another fine attack saw Marwood send Clegg into space. He took play deep and Carter raced over despite the efforts of Elliott. The touchline kick from Carter was no problem.

Then the flare-up on 58 minutes with Finch and Morrow dismissed. But instead of feeling sorry for themselves Cents hit back as Elliott was the provider for Jake Devereux to score, Elliott adding the goal.

Three minutes later McBain tore through the middle sending Stu Tippett to within a foot of the line from where Elliott buried his way over, Nicholls adding the goal.

Walney were on a crest of a wave which stunned the home side who were all at sea as Tippett went over for Elliott to convert – and it was game on.

But Cents’ dreams were dashed as a Nicholls’ pass was intercepted by Singleton who took play upfield resulting in quick hands sending Carter in at the corner. And to round off a good day at the office Jones sent Corrie over.

Dalton’s home game with Cutsyke in the Pennine League was abandoned on 65 minutes as Lee Naughton and a member of the Cutsyke coaching staff were dismissed for alleged foul and abusive language to match official Rob McAloone. Dalton were leading at the time 28-18.

Askam are through to the final play-off game in their bid to gain promotion from Division Two of the National Conference after seeing off the challenge of Leigh East 30-12 at Fallowfield Park.

The East were hit by a Tom bomb as Toms – Wilkinson, Butler, Askew and Goffatt – crossed for tries along with Russ Bolton.

Sam Dowsett converted all five tries with Tom Wilkinson being named man of the match.

Millom were out of luck at Division One leaders Thatto Heath, going down 30-12.