Silloth 0 Hawcoat Park 29

HAWCOAT Park climbed to third in North Lancs/Cumbria as they whitewashed Silloth for a fifth successive win.

Park moved above Aspatria – who were beaten at leaders Carlisle – and within a point of second-placed De La Salle despite not being at their best in the north of the county.

It is a sign of just how much Hawcoat have progressed that coaches, players and supporters alike were frustrated after away win where 95 per cent of the play took place in Silloth's half. That disappointment came from being unable to rack up more points.

The game could not have started any better for the visitors, with a team try in the opening minutes as just about every player had an early touch of the ball.

After good support play up front, play moved out wide and the returning Will Coles made good ground, beating a couple of defenders down the wing.

Half-backs Jonny Burrows and George Smith were quick to support the move, before parting to centre Chris Burns, who touched down near the posts. Smith added the conversion.

Park continued to apply pressure, with stand-in captain Will Mallinson and Ryan Milner running hard.

A mix of wrong options and really solid defence from Silloth meant the visitors were frustrated.

Opportunities to extend the lead through penalty kicks were knocked back, while Silloth worked hard to keep Hawcoat at bay, particularly when they were down to 13 men, with two in the sin-bin.

This was the other frustrating element of the game, as five players had 10-minute rests, four from Silloth and Hawcoat's Jason Priss. None were for foul play, but through referee Martin Denvir applying the latest RFU directive on high tackles.

All the play was in Silloth half's and after 25 minutes Park scored their next try.

A clean Ash Mowat lineout take and forward drive saw hard-working prop Andy Kent the last to get his hands on the ball. Smith’s conversion just missed.

Disappointed at only holding a narrow advantage after having all the play, Smith booted over a 30-metre penalty for a half-time score of 15-0.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Silloth rarely in the Hawcoat half, but managing just two further tries.

The third of the day came midway through the half – and it was a good one.

Once again, Milner made a forceful run into the heart of the Silloth defence, well supported by hooker Adam Grainger.

The ball was moved out wide, and a great pass from replacement fly-half James Howden, and then good hands from Matt Sayle, created the space for winger Glen Kaighan to show his speed and beat two would-be defenders on the outside and touch down after a 40-metre run.

Smith booted over a good conversion.

The important bonus-point earning fourth try came in the last few minutes.

It started with a brave take of a high kick from Elliot McDermott. When the ball was recycled out towards the other wing, Mowat made the important break and, once again, good hands by Smith and Sayle got the ball out wide to Kaighan.

This time the cover defence got across to him, but good support on the inside by Callum Ramsay and Burrows passed the ball to solid centre Jack Sutherland, who touched down under the posts. Smith added the conversion.

Hawcoat now has a weekend off, before the eagerly-anticipated home game against leaders Carlisle.