MATT Holmes stole the show with four blistering tries as Walney Central defeated a game Wath Brow second string to keep the pressure on Cumbria League leaders Distington.

Although Walney shot into a 18-0 lead midway through the first half at Central Drive, the Brow came back with a brace of tries before half-time to keep them in contention.

Jamie Morrow opened the scoring for Cents on 10 minutes when he broke free to touch down. Brad Nicholls converted.

Holmes was soon to follow over the whitewash when he tore through the cover and again Nicholls was on target, with Holmes quickly collecting his brace of tries. Mike Whitehead also touched down and the boot of Nicholls made it 18-0 in as many minutes.

However, the Brow refused to buckle as they came more into the picture, giving the ball plenty of air. They opened their account on the half-hour.

Prop Aide Southward took play into Cents territory before being hauled down and swift handling involving stand-off Jack Toman and full-back Curtis Teare enabled winger Jack Meagan to sweep in at the corner.

This spurred on the West Cumbrians and as the half-time whistle approached a neat kick over the Cents line saw Meagan get the vital touch for 18-8.

Walney were first to threaten in the second period as Liam Finch, Morrow and Carl McBain took play upfield, only for McBain’s intended pass to George Nicholls to hit a Brow defender.

Danny McBain, back after a three-year lay off, then went close before losing the ball five yards out.

Cents increased their lead in the 54th minute as Whitehead, Carl McBain, Nicholls and Morrow swept upfield for Holmes to break the tackle and crash over, with Nicholls tagging on the goal.

The Brow battled away and went close through Luke Davidson who chipped ahead but Mike Backhouse was on hand to mop-up and clear his line.

Holmes completed his hat-trick in the 60th minute, storming over from 20 yards after good approach work from Luke Bailey, d Nicholls, Finch and Declan Gavin and he rounded off his quartet of tries five minutes from time, with Finch adding the goal.

A Brow attack broke down when a Owen McCartney pass sailed into touch five yards short of the home line, while at the other end Backhouse went close but lost possession under a mass of bodies.

The Brow rounded off the scoring when Adam McGrady went in by the posts, Teare adding the goal.

Roose Pioneers rounded off their Cumbria League season by taking Seaton to the wire in the west of the county.

Although losing 22-16, they pushed Seaton all the way. Pioneers trailed 16-12 at the break before drawing level at 16-16, only to concede late in the game.

Tries came from Johnny Sloane, Don Stewart, Joel Williams and Ade White.

Other Cumbria League games saw Ulverston lose 30-12 at Glasson after taking an early 6-0 lead through a Tom Wilkinson try and Marc Storey conversion.

Glasson drew level before Matt Dean crossed for a try converted by Storey, with the home side running in 24 unanswered points to seal victory.

Barrow Island’s scheduled game at Maryport was called off due to the Port being unable to raise enough players, while it was the same situation at Hindpool in the North West Men’s League Division One, where would-be travellers St Cuthberts A failed to send a team.

Millom moved a step closer to lifting the National Conference Division Two title with a thumping 48-0 win over bottom-placed Oldham St Annes at Devonshire Road.

The Woollybacks led 18-0 at half-time and destroyed the Oldham side with a further 30 unanswered second-half points, with tries coming from Chris Warren, Owen Myers, Jonathan Hodgson, Marcus O’Brien, Paul Carter, Ian Armstrong, Tom Sibley and two from Warwick Carter. Adam Kelly added seven goals.

Furness Tile and Flooring Barrow and District League Results: Askam 24 Millom 0 , Barrow Island 22 Dalton 38, Ulverston 0 Hindpool 24.

Fixtures: Thursday: Barrow and District League: Roose Pioneers v Askam. CJS Cars Knockout Cup first round: Ulverston v Barrow Island.