ROOSE Pioneers broke their Cumbria League duck with a 52-44 victory over Ulverston at Redwaters.

There were 96 points on the board, with the century looming going into the final minute.

In his quest to bring up the century mark, Pioneers half-back Adam Batty broke clear and went 40 yards. But five yards out from the Ulverston line he lost his footing trying to come back inside and the opportunity was lost.

Batty played a leading role in this maiden victory, as the home side shot into a 12-0 lead after only 10 minutes, crossing three times.

Two minutes in, Joel Williams and Batty linked and Johnny Sloane touched down in the corner.

On seven minutes, Sam Doyle drove for the posts and was held short, but Williams dived in from the play the ball.

Mike Bower was the provider for the third as Batty dummied his way through the cover.

Williams extended the lead to 18-0 with a good try after good approach work from Doyle, with Dan White-Williams adding the goal.

Ulverston were starved of possession and went further behind on 17 minutes when Batty chipped over the cover and Doyle rose high to take the ball and touch down. White-Williams tagged on the goal.

The visitors finally had ball in hand and went close through Brad Williams before the hard working Keiron Chadwick was halted from crossing by good defensive work from Williams and White-Williams.

They opened their account when good play across field saw Brad Joy go in at the corner, with Marc Storey landing a touchline goal for 24-6.

More attacks were forthcoming as Mike McKevitt went close, but the Dragley Beck side ran out of tackles.

They did double their tally on the half-hour as swift handling saw Chadwick brush aside would-be tacklers to score. Storey added the goal and it was looking good at 24-12.

But Ulverton’s joy was shortlived as, within three minutes, Ade White forced his way over from close range, with White-Williams adding the goal.

The visitors refused to buckle and, as half-time approached, Storey and Connor Saunders linked. Saunders’ long ball found winger Howard Rowley in space to race over, with Storey once more landing a towering touchline goal for 30-18.

It got better for Ulverston five minutes into the second half as Kurt Shields stormed over for a try. Storey made it 30-24 with his boot and it was game on.

Pioneers required a quick response and it came as Batty sent Ade White to the line, before the stand-off sent Will Mallinson crashing over. White-Williams added the extra two.

Tez Nueto then scored before White-Williams touched down, adding the conversion to his own four-pointer for 46-24.

The Redwaters side were heading for victory, but Ulverston had other ideas and came back strongly, with Jack Akrigg crashing over in the corner followed by Chadwick and Dan Crabtree. A Connor Saunders goal meant the gap was just 46-38.

Ade White eased matters for Roose on 73 minutes, coming on the burst to score, with White-Williams tagging on the goal for 52-38.

Ulverston’s response was a second for Crabtree after good work from Dixon and Storey, with the kick coming from the boot of Saunders. However, the points finally dried up with the teams four short of the century-mark.

It proved to be unlucky 13 for leaders Millom in National Conference Division Two, as they lost their 100 per cent league record at fellow title hopefuls Leigh East, going down 32-20.

Tries for the Woollybacks came from Lee Edmondson, Lee Postlethwaite, Anthony Green and Warwick Carter, with two conversions from Jonathan Hodgson.

Leigh are now two points adrift of the leaders, but have played a game more.

Askam’s home fixture with Castleford Panthers was called off due to the West Yorkshire side being unable to raise enough players. They now face a hefty fine and possible relegation.

Walney Central also lost their unbeaten record, going down 16-14 at Cumbria League leaders Distington.

Walney were ahead 8-0 after a Brad Nicholls try and two Mark McKinley goals before the home side took the lead 10-8 with tries from Gavin Martin and Grant Drydren, plus a Scott George conversion.

A Matt Holmes try, plus a McKinley goal, took the Cents into a half-time lead at 14-10, but they failed to add to their tally in the second half. A Hodgson try in the corner was converted by Scott George to keep the points in the west of the county.

Distington now have a four-point cushion, with Cents having two games in hand and a clash with Barrow Island at Rating Lane on Friday. Island remain third despite their 42-18 defeat at fourth-placed Seaton.

The visitors led 18-16 at half-time, but failed to score in the second half. Their tries came from Sam Jones (2) and Ian Irvine, with Luke Cresswell kicking three goals.