HENSINGHAM remain undefeated at the top of the Cumbria League but they were made to work hard for their 36-24 victory against Ulverston at Dragley Beck.

Ulverston held their own in the opening stages but were stung with a 12 points burst in the 18th and 20th minutes.

The Dragley Beck side kept in touch at 12-18 until the visitors upped a gear mid way through the second half to stretch the lead at 12-36.

However a late surge saw the home side hit back with two converted tries only for time to run out on them.

Former Barrow player Liam Campbell inspired Hensingham throughout and was soon in the thick of the action as early as the first minute.

Campbell tested the home defence with a dangerous kick to the line, Steve O’Connor swooped on the ball making ground before Campbell took him out with a high tackle.

And when Campbell knocked on allowing Ulverston to take the scrum, the ball moved to Matt Dean who raced upfield.

When he was hauled down a quick play the ball brought Marc Storey and Connor Saunders into the attack resulting in Jack Ackrigg being tackled a foot short of the line.

Another raid broke down when Joel Smith was adjudged to have sent out a forward pass to Ackrigg after good work from Storey, O’Connor and Brad Wilkinson.

Hensingham began to string attacks into Ulverstons territory and when Steve Smith put in a neat kick, Matt Storey was on hand to gather the ball.

Being caught offside at a play the ball proved costly for the home side, Dan Smith almost crossed in the corner but from the play the ball, swift handling left to right enabled Smith to touchdown and convert 0-6.

From the re-start, gathering the ball on their own line Hensingham raced upfield with Mike Lithgow almost scoring, but back to haul him down were O’Connor and Rowley. However from the play the ball, Jake Bradley forced his way over for Smith to convert 0-12.

Substitute Sam Williams came on and lifted the home side with a dazzling 30 yard run turning the Hensingham defence inside out before being stopped a yard short, a quick play the ball saw Rowley dart over for Saunders to convert 6-12.

With four minutes of the half remaining, offside again proved costly, from the tap penalty on halfway Hensingham took play deep and a neat pass from Campbell saw Bradley crash over, Smith tagged on the goal 6-18 at the break.

Three minutes into the second half Ulverston reduced the deficit when Saunders made a telling break to send fellow half back Marc Storey in for a try which Saunders converted 12-18.

But their joy was short lived, within two minutes they conceded six points when Jordan Thompson touched down and Smith converted 12-24.

With 68 minutes on the clock Hensingham regained the upper hand with Bradley crossing, Smith tagged on the goal 12-30. It was soon 12-36 when a neat ball from Campbell sent Liam Martin over the white-wash, Smith adding the goal 12-36.

Ulverston battled on and were rewarded with late tries from Joel Smith and Whinfield plus two Saunders goals but time wasn’t on their side 24-36.

Ulverston will meet Walney Central at Dragley Beck on Thursday kick off 7pm.

Askam pulled off the best win of the day in the National Conference League Division Two with a 44-19 win at second placed East Leeds.

The Villagers trailed 12-6 at half time but a great second half display saw them run in four tries in the closing minutes.

Tries came from Tom Askew (2), Sam Dowsett (2), Russ Bolton, Jake Spedding, Tom Wilkinson and Brad Jackson who also kicked six goals.

Millom also pulled off a fine win with a 20-6 victory over Dudley Hill at Devonshire Road after leading 8-6 at the break. Tries came from Chris Warren (2), Ross Brooks and Ethan Kelly with two goals from Lee Postlethwaite.

In Division Three, a scratch Waterhead side were no match for Barrow Island at Rating Lane who ran in 60 points with nothing in reply.

Tries came from Luke Thompson (2), Jake Stockdale (2), Carl McBain, Dan Wright, Spencer Hoyland, Lewis Sayle, James Howden, Joe Spenceley, Sam Jones, and Jamie Curtis.

Goals came from Howden (5), Parkinson (2) and Marwood.