HENSINGHAM 22 WALNEY CENTS 20

IT was so close yet so far as Cents conceded a last-minute converted try to lose out to Hensingham in the Cumbria Cup final.

The game was switched from Whitehaven’s Recreation Ground to Distington due to a heavy pitch.

In an end-to-end game Walney more than matched the unbeaten Cumbria League champions and looked destined to lift the trophy until that final-minute score.

Walney tries came from Matty Elliott, Tom Heavyside, Adam Nicholson and Harry Gee, with Dave Nicholson adding two goals.

HINDPOOL TIGERS 34 FOLLY LANE 18

PAUL Rickleton was the man of the moment as the Tigers got their claws into the North West Men’s League leaders at Brisbane Park to overturn a 52-6 defeat the previous week.

The scrum half tormented the Lane throughout and bagged four tries in the process against the Manchester side, who had only lost one league game this season.

The Tigers were determined to make up for that hefty loss a week ago, and in a fine game of rugby were deserved winners as the Lane failed to put points on the board in the second period after leading 18-16 at the interval.

The Lane got off to a flying start going 6-0 up in the third minutes courtesy of an 80-yard interception try.

The Tigers put on a fine raid, only for an intended pass from Rob Bower going into the arms of Scott Morton who pulled away from the cover to go fully 80 yards to touch down, Jay Bond adding the goal.

It wasn’t long however for the Tigers to pull level. Bower went close, as did Peter Rimmer, and from the play the ball Rickleton caught the defence cold and crossed the whitewash, with Connor McDermott adding the goal for 6-6.

This spurred on the home side and they were soon to take the lead with swift play involving Bower, Jamie McIlroy and the hard-working Lee Boyd paving the way for Rickleton to touch down. McDermott converted.

And when the Lane threatened after centre Alan McAnello had gathered a kick through, on hand to block his path were McDermott and Shannon Coleman.

On the half hour the visitors drew level when the Tigers were penalised for ball stealing allowing Liam Anderson to touch down. He also tagged on the goal for 12-12.

Four minutes later the lead was back with the home side following a brilliant 50- yard break from Matty Archer who sent full-back Josh Villis in at the corner.

The Lane almost hit back with McAnello racing down the wing but he was called back for a forward pass. McDermott and Coleman saved the day for the Tigers with great work in defence preventing Demo Blake touching down, the loose forward being held up.

However, a sleepy defence allowed McAnello in at the corner for Anderson to send the visitors in at the break at 16-18 with the conversion.

Five minutes into the second half Hindpool were back in front, swift attacking play saw Rickleton force his way over for McDermott to convert.

The Lane applied pressure which the home side soaked up and it was at the other end that points went on the bard when the Lane were caught offside.

Before they could regroup Rickleton was celebrating his fourth try of the day, McDermott adding the goal.

The Tigers’ mission was completed late in the half when a forceful run from Body set up Bower who crashed over, McIlroy adding the goal

MILLOM 18 WIGAN ST JUDE’S 25

MILLOM put up a brave show for the second week running against a National Conference promotion-chasing side at Devonshire Road.

They ran Thornhill close last week and gave the Jude’s a run for their money.

Sixteen-year-olds Ethan Bickerdyke, Connor Terrill and Charlie Hemslie, plus 17-year-old Kyle Evans, were thrust into this side and came out with credit.

The Woollybacks led 18-12 at the break with Evans and Hemslie crossing for tries along with Noah Robinson with Lee Postlethwaite adding three goals.

THORNHILL 30 ASKAM 12

ASKAM’S National Conference Division Two play-off hopes hang in the balance following this defeat.

They trailed 20-0 at the break and won the second half 12-10.

Coach Mike Wilson was disappointed that his weakened side failed to pick up the points.

He said: “We failed to deal with three kicks to the line which saw them score three tries other than that we defended well at times.”

Tries came from Marc Dixon and Mark Tyson, with two goals from Brad Jackson.

STANNINGLEY 12 BARROW ISLAND 8

ISLAND came close at promotion contenders Stanningley, with tries coming from Ryan Clegg and Elliss Gillam.