Alfie White scored a first-half hat-trick as Hawcoat Park comfortably saw off Silloth 55-17 in their rearranged match in Cumbria Division One.

The Maroon and Whites scored nine tries in total against opponents whose preparations were seriously affected by a car containing some of their players being involved in an accident on the M6 on the way down.

Thankfully, the Silloth lads were not seriously hurt but the incident left the visitors further short, which led to Hawcoat applying the new RFU ‘Game on Principles’ by lending Silloth enough players to get a more competitive enjoyable game.

As to be expected Park started best as Silloth got to know their new-found teammates and it was not long before fly-half George Smith got the ball moving through hands out wide for winger Glenn Kaighan to finish well in the corner.

The stand-out performer was dynamic back row White, whose all-action performance and strong running brought him a first half hat-trick of tries, two of which Smith did very well to convert.

After White’s first try with the score at 10- 0, Silloth got their first try when their coach, former captain and absolute stalwart of the club Phil Scott, chased up an accurate cross kick into space to touch down.

Before half-time there was time for a second Silloth try through their strong running second row and also a good handling move from the hosts to produce a try for the powerful Rodney Odondi as Hawcoat went into the break 31-10 ahead. Odondi has improved no end from the young lad who joined the club and is now a very impressive strong running wingman.

In cold and windy conditions, the second half was not as easy for players and the hardcore spectators but it was certainly not a one sided affair as Silloth really stuck to their task.

Four further home tries followed at even intervals throughout the second half for Hawcoat, including a second for Odondi, while Joe Rea, Chris Burns and Lewis Sayle all got in on the act.

It was good to see the final try deservedly going to Silloth through their powerful centre under the posts.Final score 55 - 17. Credit must to the visitors, who battled through after their long and disrupted journey down.