BARROW Island ran out deserved 18-10 winners over local rivals Walney Central in the Cumbria League at Rating Lane to prevent the Walney side completing a hat-trick of victories this season.

It was a typical hard-fought derby, and though the margin was only eight points, Island were never in any danger of losing as they cling on to second place in their pursuit of leaders Distington.

Island were sharper all round, with Ian Irvine and Andy Cairns to the fore. Credit goes to defences on both sides, who put in some big hits in their bids to keep the opposition out.

Walney missed Liam Finch and Jamie Morrow, despite the efforts of Brad Nicholls and Matt Elliott at scrum half.

Both sets of forwards never took a backward step as they strove for supremacy. It was the home side who took the game to their rivals, with Cairns sending Matt Sayle to within a foot of the line, from where Scott Hadwin crossed – only for the try to be ruled out due to a forward pass in the build-up.

Walney’s first raid ended with a Nicholls kick, but Gareth Shaw was on hand to gather and make good yards.

When Cairns was impeded in a tackle on Island’s second raid, Irvine went close from the tap, falling to a fine tackle from Connor Pearce.

The Cents defence was on overtime as the attacks continued. Matt Parkinson was held up, Perry Singleton was stopped short, along with Hadwin, before Jack Sutherland went in from close range. Jake Carter added the goal for 6-0.

Walney came more into the frame as Nichols and Matt Elliott worked well to send Carl McBain to the line, but good defending kept him out.

The hard-working Declan Gavin then was halted a foot short of the line before a Nicholls stab through the cover saw Sayle gather and clear his line.

Island continued to defend with determination as Gavin, Nicholls and Dave Warne swept to the line, before Gavin was held up.

When Carl McBain looked like scoring at the other end, four defenders stepped into his path.

A counter-attack saw Richard Chatfield and Irvine pave the way for Parkinson to drive downfield, which resulted in Carter kicking to the corner, only for Pearce to gather.

Parkinson once more took on the Cents defence with a strong drive, from which Blain Marwood sent Lewis Singleton to the posts, but the tackles ran out.

Matt Elliot made a telling break through the middle of the park, sending Mike Backhouse haring for the line, but on hand with a try-saving tackle was Shaw.

At the other end, a sweeping attack ended when Burns lost control in crossing the line, after good work from Cairns and Perry Singleton.

Walney were denied on the half-hour when Jake Deveraux crossed, but the flick of a pass from Dale White was forward. When Matt Elliott made a great break to race clear, Marwood and Carter were on hand to prevent him touching down.

Six minutes into the second half, Island doubled their tally when Marwood fed Hadwin, who plunged over by the posts for Carter to convert.

Walney were to respond within four minutes, as good play from Nicholls and Tippett sent Mike Elliott in for the try to make it 12-4.

Island went close minutes later through Sayle, before three defenders hauled down Perry Singelton.

When Carter put in a high ball to the corner, Jones rose high to take it, but his pass inside went into the arms of Deveraux.

On 70 minutes, Island stretched their lead to 14 points following a weaving run from Attard, Irvine and Sutherland continued the attack for Jones to step inside the cover to score. Carter added the goal for 18-4.

Walney did cross a minute from time, following a burst downfield from Brad Pearce which resulted in Matt Elliott providing the pass for Backhouse to touchdown. Nicholls tagged on the goal but it was all in vain.

Maryport came south with only 14 players but were too strong for Ulverston, running out 38-16 winners after leading 24-4 at the break.

Liam Vickers ran in four tries, with Scott Akehurst crossing twice and a seventh from Andrew Patterson. Richard Holt kicked four goals, with one from Dean Scholey.

For Ulverston, tries came via Jake Spedding, Che Smith and Connor Saunders, who added two goals.

Roose Pioneers lost narrowly to Wath Brow A 18-14 at Redwaters, tries coming from Adam Batty, Alex Brown and Russ Birch, with one goal via Steve Perry.

Undefeated leaders Distingon accounted for Seaton 32-12, while Glasson defeated Ellenborough 36-12.

In National Conference Division Two, Saddleworth leapfrogged Askam into third place following their 22-18 victory.

Askam led throughout, going into an 18-0 lead only to see victory taken from their grasp four minutes from time.

Askam’s man-of-the-match Joe Satterthwaite crossed for the first try, followed by Tom Wilkinson and Ben Lewney, with Dan Sayle adding three goals.

Millom made the long trip to Myton and were thrashed 70-16 by the Humbersiders in Division One.