WALNEY Central saw off the challenge of Barrow Island to book their place in the Cumbria League Top Four final.

Distington will be their opponents in the final, with the venue to be decided.

Cents had little trouble in going through with a 28-12 victory before a healthy Central Drive crowd.

Island threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Cents defence, breaching for the first time on 55 minutes, but by that time the game was in the bag.

Blain Marwood, Luke Cresswell and Sam Jones worked their socks off to try and find ways through the home cover, but they stood firm.

The Island took the game to Walney and good work from Perry Singleton, Jones and Cresswell saw Marwood halted short of the line before a neat chip through from Ian Irvine was swooped on by Mike Backhouse.

Andy Cairns, Irvine and Singleton took play deep into Walney territory before Cresswell and Declan Rogers linked to send Marwood to within inches of the line, but strong defence kept them at bay as the tackles ran out.

After soaking up the pressure, Walney turned defence into attack with Brad Nicholls and Jamie Morrow linking to release Matt Holmes. The second-rower raced clear, putting in a kick to the line, but Cresswell was on hand to clean up and take play back upfield.

It was Cresswell who was to make a telling break minutes later, hogging the touchline before passing inside to Gareth Shaw. But the pass was not one of the best and Shaw knocked on.

Cents came back strongly, with Danny Lockhart sending Backhouse over the Island line, but he was held up.

From the restart Danny Morrow fed Ethan Furness, but he lost the ball near the line.

The breakthrough came on 22 minutes. Nicholls broke clear parting to Jamie Morrow who took play to the Island 22. From the play the ball, Lockhart found Danny Morrow and he prised open a gap to score. Mark McKinley landed a touchline goal.

Island were then awarded three quick penalties which resulted in Cresswell taking play up, but Rogers lost the ball in the tackle. Jones also lost possession as he turned the defence inside-out.

Shaw then released Ryan Clegg, who was soon into his stride, but Nicholls and Matty Elliott were on hand to haul him down.

Following another penalty, Cairns headed for the line only for Mike Whitehead and McKinley to stop him short.

Cents stretched their lead on 36 minutes when a neat ball from Nicholls found Holmes, who tore downfield and in support to touchdown was Jordan Staffieri.

McKinley, along with Jamie Morrow and Nicholls, paved the way for Elliott to go in by the posts on the stroke of half-time, with McKinley tagging the extras.

Island now had it all to do but were hit with a sucker punch two minutes into the second period.

Jamie Morrow and Whitehead linked and the former Barrow player returned a neat pass and Morrow was under the posts, with McKinley tagging on the extra two for 22-0.

Island almost replied, but after good approach work from Irvine, Marwood and Singleton, the hard-working Cresswell knocked on.

The visitors finally got points on the board as Irvine sent Jones in from close range, with Cresswell adding a touchline goal for the visitors.

Cents replied when Whitehead’s pass out of the back door found Elliott, who raced over for McKinley to convert.

Island rounded off the scoring with a try from Jack Sutherland, converted by Cresswell.

Distington require only a draw in Tuesday’s re-arranged regular season game with Seaton at Derwent Park to play Walney at the Recreation Ground next Saturday.

However, if Seaton win, then Craven Park will host the play-off final game.

Askam defeated Leigh East 24-22 in their final National Conference Division Two home game of the season.

Dalton’s opening Pennine League Division One game of the season at Ossett Trinity was postponed.

Hindpool lifted the Barrow and District League Top Four final trophy after defeating Askam 35-22 at Craven Park on Friday night.

Player/coach Phil Cubiss picked up the final point of the Mike Marsh sponsored competition with a drop goal to give the Tigers a well-earned victory.

Cumbria under-19s defeated Scotland under-19s 32-28 at Craven Park yesterday.