Last updated 00:00, Wednesday, 19 December 2007

CUMBRIA LEAGUE

BAE 10

Millom 10

IT was a perfect winter’s day for rugby at Hawcoat Park, and the derby did not disappoint.

Millom were well organised and certainly started the stronger, with their pack working hard to get on top.

On a couple of occasions the visitors went close to scoring, but last-ditch defence from BAE just managed to keep them out.

It came as no surprise however when Millom took the lead 15 minutes into the game. From broken play 40 metres out, centre Rickie Kershaw set off on a typical powerful burst and his weaving run left defenders in his wake. The conversion was missed.

BAE slowly got into the game from midway in the half and had a spell of concerted pressure when a couple of clear chances went begging.

Although camped on the Millom line, good defence by the visitors kept them at bay.

However, just before half-time, BAE got back on level terms when the ball was moved well out wide and winger Andy Bennett showed good strength to squeeze in at the corner. Likewise the conversion was missed, leaving a half-time score of 5-5.

In the second half Millom, perhaps surprisingly, continued to stick with their ‘10-man’ rugby strategy in a tight game.

BAE took the lead when the ball was stretched both ways to eventually gain an overlap position, with centre Wayne Jones slipping the try-scoring pass to the delighted Gareth Dewey on the wing.

As to be expected, Millom hit back and forced four scrums close to the BAE line. Despite sterling defence work from young Brad Morrow and stalwart Steve Slater in particular, Millom forward Adam Redhead forced his way over from close range.

Danny Redhead was unsuccessful with the conversion attempt.

The home team enjoyed the best of the final exchanges and could easily have snatched victory with almost the last kick of the game when, as in the first half, full-back Neil France hit the crossbar with a 35-metre penalty goal attempt.

The BAE team, particularly the young lads, showed real determination to stand up to the powerful Millom team, whose wing forward Simon Long was outstanding.

Morrow continues to show great potential both in the scrum and in his work rate as prop in the loose.

BAE A 5

Penrith B 15

BAE, looking for a third win in a row, put up a brave effort to disrupt a Penrith side determined to retain their status as Cumbria Shield champions.

This was an interesting encounter between two sides of differing styles. BAE had weight and experience up front while Penrith had guile in the three-quarters.

BAE opted to start with the very cold wind in their favour but were surprised by the speed of the visitors.

Struggling to make any headway into the Penrith half, they resorted to punts upfield but along with a poor chase and weak tackling the strong backs quickly returned them to attacking positions.

Pressure eventually told when a quick tap penalty created an overlap for the wing to score, 5-0.

BAE went close to scoring near the interval when wing forward White drove hard only to lose possession grounding the ball.

Penrith scored a converted try and penalty after the break before a Steele touchdown reduced the arrears for BAE.

Burns impressed in his new role as hooker while young Rothall took the eye with his elusive runs.

• Millom A beat Whitehaven 48-0 with scrum half Patrick Shepherd scoring a hat-trick.

• In North Lancs Div 2, Furness surrendered top spot after their game at North Manchester was frozen off.