However, the National League Conference Division Two pacesetters were pushed all the way by the North West Men’s League Division One leaders at a sunny Craven Park on Wednesday evening.
Many pundits thought the Villagers were going to have a stroll in the park, and though they were never in any danger of letting go their grip of the trophy, it was not all one way traffic.
Walney’s young side played out of their skins, and for long periods kept the Fallowfield Park side pinned in their own half. Askam had the edge in attack though, with Kristian Tyson having a strong game, coming into the line when the opportunity arrived.
The opening exchanges were even with the Villagers first to press with Jake Spedding crossing the Cents line, only for a forward pass to be ruled. A counter-attack then saw Dave Nicholson held inches short of the line.
Askam came back strong with makeshift hooker Keir Shepherd passing to Mike Wilson, but he knocked on 20 yards out.
The first points were on the board on 14 minutes when Tom Wilkinson took play up for Jamie Butler to go in by the posts, followed by Tyson converting to make it 6-0.
Walney almost responded when Nicholson chipped over the cover to gather and send Matty Holmes over the whitewash, but pushing in the build up ruled no try.
Cents were now playing with confidence and were rewarded when the ball moved along the line to Stu Tippett, who had the defence thinking before forcing his way over in the corner for a unconverted try to make it 6-4.
Within four minutes, Askam edged further ahead when a neat ball from Wilson found Jordan Jones, who went in from close range and Tyson tagged on the goal to extend the lead to 12-4.
Undeterred, Walney went on the attack and Staffieri made a telling break beating man after man, but was taken high. From the tap, Jamie Ralph took play to the posts from where Ethan Furness was held up. Then Zac Steel pulled off a try-saving tackle on Staffieri in the corner.
Askam came strong, with Liam Saunders at the heart of several raids, and it was the prop forward who sent Sam Shepherd through a gap and he tore downfield, only for Tippett to pull off a try-saving tackle.
The attack continued through Adam Jackson, Tyson and Spedding, with Steel being hauled down a foot short – and Steel was denied on the half time whistle when Mark Tyson palmed the ball to the winger, only for his touch to be ruled forward.
Askam eased matters three minutes into the second half with a brilliant try from Mark Tyson. It was Wilson’s timed pass which saw Kris Tyson sweep through the cover on a curving run and in support was brother Mark to dot down, with Kris adding the goal to make it 18-4.
Walney valiantly attempted to come back, with Tippett having a fine game both in attack and defence. But Askam’s defence remained firm, denying Bibby from crossing.
Jack Rushton saved the Cents with a fine tackle on Taylor Carter as he was heading for the corner. Then on the hour the luck of the bounce led to Rory Marshall swooping over the Cents line following a high ball from Kris Tyson, who tagged on the goal to push the score out to 22-4.
Three minutes later, the trophy was assured of heading back to Fallowfield Park as Kris Tyson and Jackson combined for Spedding to touch down and make it 28-4.
Walney battled on though and rounded off the scoring with Josh Holmes going in at the corner, and Nicholson sending a towering kick to convert.
“I was pleased for the win but were not at our best in the first half against a very enthusiastic Walney side,” said Askam head coach Dave Clark. “We dropped too may balls, but we managed to build up the pressure in the second half and I am proud of the lads and for the club.”
Opposite number Dave Warne hailed Walney’s efforts, saying: “I was pleased as punch for the effort from the lads. We had many opportunities, but at times couldn’t get over. It was great that we competed and thanks to Dave Nicholson, who came down from Cente Parcs and was driving back after the game.”
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