ELLENBOROUGH RANGERS 12 BARROW ISLAND 14

MATT Sayle booted Barrow Island to victory with a late penalty against a tough Ellenborough outfit bolstered by a couple of Carlisle Rugby Union players.

Defences were tested early on with both sides keeping their lines intact. The Island's front three of Jack Sutherland, Joe Spencely and Matt Sayle were prominent with Sam Attard also busy returning Elbra's last-tackle kicks.

The home side finally struck in the 25th minute when after some heavy pressure loose forward Shane Ackerley slid over, with stand-off Michael Hill converting.

The Island hit back a few minutes later. After Ian Irvine had chipped ahead and re-gathered, contributions from Blain Marwood and Mark Bewley saw Joe Spencely go over at the foot of the post. Matt Sayle converted.

As the half drew to a close it was the hosts on the offensive. Ryan Clegg made a try-saving tackle on scrum half Andy Ostle with Sam Jones doing likewise out wide.

On resumption Ellenborough came flying out of the blocks. Props Chris Kellock and Jonny Stoddart continued to be a thorn in the Island's side, with centre Kevin Hoban going over and Michael Hill goaling.

Once more Island struck back. Matt Sayle, Ryan Clegg and Ian Irvine paved the way for Sam Jones to side-step inside two defenders to score. Matt Sayle converted to level the scores at 12-all.

Both sides smelt victory as the game entered the final quarter and a 65th-minute penalty for the home side looked destined to give them the lead, but Michael Hill's attempt sailed wide.

From the resulting drop-out Perry Singleton relieved the pressure with a 50-yard kick to touch.

On 70 minutes the Island were awarded a penalty with Matt Sayle keeping his nerve to put the ball just between the posts and edge the Islanders in front, and they held out for a hard-fought win.

The team's respective star men were Jonny Stoddart and Chris Kellock for Ellenborough and Jack Sutherland and Joe Spencely for Island.