DISTINGTON lifted the Cumbria Cup for the first time in their history with a comprehensive victory over Barrow Island.

It was the half-back pairing of Scott George and Clayton Sutton who laid the foundations as they took on the Island defence at every opportunity, and with twelve early points on the board they were well in the driving seat.

The West Cumbrians had the Island on the back foot with their flowing rugby with second row forward Sean Sutton pumping holes in the defensive line along with forceful prop Bryan Ritchie. Island found the going tough but they never gave up the chase with Sam Jones, Scott Hadwin and Luke Cresswell always threatening, but finding a way through was always going to be difficult.

With seven minutes on the clock Distington mounted a raid when Ritchie prised open a gap for full-back Steve Conway to pull clear.

However, Cresswell and Spencely managed to halt him 20 yards out. But from the play the ball Sean Sutton came on to the ball with force to crash over, Clayton Sutton adding the goal.

The pressure continued, with George testing the Island cover with some astute high balls, and when Sam Attard knocked-on from one kick the scrum was heeled by Distington who moved the ball sharply right to left for George to kick again. But the ball was too high and went into touch.

On 12 minutes the lead was doubled when Grant Dryden sent the impressive Gavin Martin into space from where George spotted a gap to go in from ten yards out, Sutton adding the goal.

The Cumbria League leaders were then denied a third touchdown when, following a strong drive from Ritchie, the ball went through the hands of Jamie Friel and George before Conway slid over the line, only for a forward pass to be ruled.

Island, who had rarely got out of their own half, then put a good attack together. Cresswell broke over the halfway line. Dan White took up the running before Cresswell came back onto the ball, leading to Jake Carter kicking over the try-line, only for the ball to roll dead.

Conway was denied a second try minutes later when, after taking an inside pass from George, he lost the ball going over the line.

Island’s second raid saw Sam Jones put in a high kick only for Aiden Worthington to force the ball dead.

At the other end George found space to drop a goal on 29 minutes.

Island were coming more into the picture and a fine run down the wing from Ryan Clegg ended with a fine tackle by Phil Lister.

Again Distington came back strong with neat passing coming to a halt as Lister’s pass to Clayton Sutton was adjudged forward as the scrum half was in the process of crossing the line. A counter-attack from Island almost produced points, but Irvine’s pass to Hadwin was forward as the half came to a close.

The second half was barely under way when Island raided through Irvine and Cresswell but the latter’s pass to Attard was forward.

On 52 minutes Island went further behind. Clayton Sutton made a telling break 40 yards out and despite the attention of Cresswell he crossed out wide.

Island came back with some neat football with Matt Sayle and Jones paving the way for Attard to get into his stride, but he was brought down as the tackles ran out.

Perry Singleton went close but as he headed for the corner four defenders pushed him back.

Jamie Friel then broke free, racing clear only for him to fall to a fine Blain Marwood tackle. The attack continued and once more a forward pass ruled out a try as Lister crossed the line.

The game was put out of Island’s reach on 70 minutes when Dryden made a telling break and Conway raced through to score as Jones and Cresswell moved in. Sutton tagged on the goal.

Island finally put points on the board when Andy Cairns spotted a gap to cross from from 10 yards out, Cresswell adding the goal, but time had run out on Barrow side.

Barrow Island: Luke Cresswell, Sam Attard, Sam Jones, Perry Singleton, Ryan Clegg, Jake Carter, Ian Irvine, Jack Sutherland, Joe Spencely, Matt Parkinson, Dan White, Matt Sayle, Scott Hadwin. Subs used: Blain Marwood, Gareth Shaw, Andy Cairns, Lewis Singleton.

Distington: Steve Conway, Phil Lister, Steve Clarke, Gavin Martin, Ryan Hodgson, Scott George, Clayton Sutton, Bryan Ritchie, Jamie Friel, Carl Stephenson, Grant Dryden, Sean Sutton, Aiden Worthington. Subs used: Jordan Scott, Shaun Adam, Liam McNicholas, Liam Tunstall.

Referee: Curtley Etchells.

Man of Match: Clayton Sutton (Distington)

l In the National Conference Millom and Askam both lost their matches. At Fallowfield Park Thornhill were 43-22 victors.

Askam’s try-scorers were Ethan Guy – who suffered a broken leg later in the match – plus Sam Dowsett, Gary Bolton and Tom Wilkinson, with three goals from Dan Sayle. The Woollybacks went down 42-28 to Skirlaugh at Devonshire Road.