It was physical, and it definitely wasn’t pretty, but Millom kicked on from their brilliant comeback against Hensingham to pick up a much-needed 26-12 victory over Eastmoor Dragons.

Kian McPherson had a day to remember, in particular, as the 16-year-old scored a magnificent hat-trick to help the Woolybacks drag themselves away from the foot of NCL Division Three.

Millom started the stronger of the two sides and star man from last week in Connor Terrill was held up over the line but from the resulting play, McPherson barged his way over the line to score the first try of the afternoon, which Adam Kelly converted.

It wasn’t long before the hosts were in again when a smart passing play allowed Dominic O’Brien to dive over in the corner.

Eastmoor hit back on the stroke of half-time when Robbie Powell benefitted off a loose carry to pick the ball up and score, with Adrian Mulcahy’s goal reducing the gap to 12-6 at the break.

However, Millom responded well after the interval to score within two minutes of the restart, as McPherson benefitted from a superb opening attack to score his second.

O’Brien then raced over for his second of the afternoon as well after 50 minutes when he managed to find a gap in the Eastmoor defence to go through and score.

Eastmoor then lost Carl Etherington to the sin-bin for persistent offences but the visitors scored when Mulcahy touched down from close range. He converted his own try and with 15 minutes to play, the Dragons only trailed by eight points.

Millom, however, hit another gear and it was McPherson who rounded off his perfect afternoon with what is already seeming to be a trademark run from close range to complete his treble.