WALNEY Central kept the pressure on Cumbria League leaders Distington following a dramatic 24-20 win over Glasson at Central Drive.

Coach Shaun Morrow agreed his side got out of jail after they came from behind several times.

Glasson looked set for victory in a close encounter against an out-of-sorts Cents side who had to pull in several A-teamers.

The youngsters did themselves proud and were praised by their coach, with Declan Gavin and Jonathan Corkill having steady games.

Glasson were the more likely winners against a Walney side who did not get going until the final quarter, when they regained the lead.

A late converted try from the West Cumbrians made it a scary for the home side, who face Distington this weekend in West Cumbria.

Walney were first to apply pressure, but ran out of tackles when Danny Morrow was close to the line.

However, on eight minutes, they went ahead when brother Jamie managed to score by the posts, with Mark McKinley converting to lead 6-0.

Glasson came back strongly on the back of a penalty, but successive fine tackles from Ethan Furness on props Joe Pickup and Gary Tierney kept them at bay.

On 16 minutes, it was level pegging as Keiran Winter dummied his way over from close range and also tagged on the goal.

Spurred on, the visitors doubled their score after stand-off Keiran Featherstone was held short. Hooker Matt Burns forced his way over and Winter obliged with the goal for 12-6.

The pressure was kept up and a dangerous kick to the home line was gathered by Mike Backhouse, who rounded three would-be tacklers on a 35-yard run to clear his line.

Jordan Staffieri was then on hand to prevent Burns crossing for his second and, when Danny Barker put in a dangerous kick, Jake Deveraux smothered the ball in the corner.

Walney steadied the ship to draw level on 34 minutes.

Gavin made a darting run supported by Jamie Morrow, who was impeded in the tackle. From the tap penalty, Danny Morrow crossed by the posts and McKinley added the goal.

As the half came to a close, good play across the field saw Carl Armstrong race over, only for a forward pass to be ruled.

The second half was barely under way when Walney raided through Jamie Morrow, Furness and Corkill. Furness took the ball once more, but his long pass to Deveraux was forward as the winger crossed.

Corkill was putting in some strong tackles for the home side and Gavin's darting runs were a constant threat. But on 50 minutes the visitors were back in the lead when smart play ripped opened the Cents cover and Dan Fryer paved the way for Scott Burns to stroll over for an unconverted try.

Glasson were in control, but on the hour-mark Chris Larkin came to life as he pushed man after man off, twisting in the tackle to put the ball down between the posts – despite objections he had bounced the ball. McKinley added the goal for 18-16.

This set up a final quarter in which both sides went for broke.

Danny Morrow and Larkin made good ground, while the ever-alert Gavin was held short.

A high ball from Winter swirled in the wind was well taken by Jack Rushton, who took play back up field for Cents. Possession went from one end to the other, with Glasson's Tierney stopped a foot short.

Gavin then broke in midfield and made good yards before parting to Deveraux. He came inside and Danny Morrow was held close to the line.

On 76 minutes Gavin almost went over and, from the play the ball, Dave Nicholson forced his way in. McKinley added the goal for 24-16 with four minutes remaining.

Glasson were not finished and hitt back with a fine try from Winter ,who linked with full-back Brad Tremble to score. However, Featherstone missed the goal and Cents held out for two important points.

Leaders Distington were convincing 32-2 winners at Maryport and remain top.

It was a good day all round for the South Cumbrian team, with Barrow Island running up their highest Cumbria League score, defeating a young Wath Brow A side 80-10 at Rating Lane.

Tries for the hosts came from man-of-the-match Tom Brannon (3), Luke Creswell (2), Sam Attard, Sam Jones (2), Jack Sutherland, Andy Cairns, Gareth Shaw, Joe Spencely and Perry Singleton (2), with Creswell adding 12 goals.

In the National Conference Division Two, Millom went four points clear at the top following their 38-10 win over Dewsbury Celtic, while second-placed Leigh East lost 32-18 at Featherstone Lions.

The Woolybacks' tries came from Rickie Donaghue, Warwick Carter, Tom Sibley (2), Marcus O'Brien, Anthony Green and Steve Dawson, with Adam Kelly adding five conversions.

Askam returned to winning ways with a narrow 32-26 triumph at bottom-placed Oldham St Annes.

In the North West Men's League Division One, Hindpool pulled off a fine 36-30 win over leaders Thatto Heath A at Brisbane Park.

Tries for the Tigers came from Daryll Archer, Dale Sneesby, Craig Regan, Lee Boyd, Peter Rimmer and Matty Preston, with six goals from the boot of Grant Burns.

Barrow and District Results: Askam 46 Ulverston 42, Dalton 28 Hindpool 28, Millom 24 Barrow Island 0.