CUMBRIA MEN'S LEAGUE TOP-FOUR FINAL

DISTINGTON 48 BARROW ISLAND 4

A SECOND-half onslaught saw Barrow Island fall to all-conquering Distington in the Cumbria League Top-Four Play-off final at the Recreation Ground.

Island had the better of the opening exchanges of the match in Whitehaven, forcing a goal-line drop-out, with Matt Sayle, Ryan Clegg and Jack Sutherland threatening the line.

However, a 10th-minute penalty gave Distington good field position, followed by prop Brian Ritchie going over, with Clayton Sutton converting to establish a six-point lead.

Island pair Sam Jones and Sam Attard combined to make good headway to the opposition line, but Distington's scrambling defence halted their progress.

Another penalty on 20 minutes provided the opportunity for Whitehaven-bound loose forward Aiden Worthington to crash over for a second converted score.

Island finally found some joy on the half-hour-mark, when an Ian Irvine bomb forced the home side to drop out.

A bulldozing run from Matt Sayle and good hands saw Gareth Shaw put Tez Nueto over in the corner for an unconverted try.

A few minutes later, Nueto turned into try-saver when he pinched the ball from Clayton Sutton.

A break from Dan White and Gareth Shaw then set up the chance for Sam Jones to challenge for Irvine high kick, but Distington held out for a 12-4 lead at the break.

The second half was only a couple of minutes old when Distington second-row forward Grant Dryden punished Island for losing the ball close to their line, scooping it up and going over, followed by Sutton adding the extras.

Ritchie got his second of the afternoon soon after, again converted by Sutton and Island threw caution to the wind as they tried to claw their way back into the match.

But in the final half-hour, Distington centre Gavin Martin, winger Will Ritchie and Sutton all scored braces of tries, with the latter converting them all to keep up his perfect record with the boot and make the final score 48-4.