Last updated at 12:00, Monday, 09 July 2012

Egremont Rangers produced a remarkable recovery to beat the form team in NCL Division One, Wigan St Jude’s, coming out on top 32-22.

Richard Farrer

Their Wigan hosts scored three unconverted tries in the first 15 minutes as Egremont found it hard to get a foothold in the game.

That was to change following the introduction of Richard Farrer, their former prop who has returned to the amateur ranks after spells with both Whitehaven and Workington Town.

The Wigan pack couldn't get to grips with the big man and on the back of his barnstorming runs hooker Alistair Leak dashed 30 metres to the line to open Egremont’s account on 20 minutes.

That try changed the whole complexion of the match as Egremont now upped their game and a minute later John Paul Brocklebank crossed and also added the extras.

The game was now being played at an incredibly fast pace that even the injured Thomas Leuliau on the sideline couldn't have failed to have been impressed by.

At half-time St. Jude’s still held a slender 12-10 lead and they came out after the interval

in confident mood, throwing everything at the Cumbrians. Only some great scrambling defence from Egremont kept them out.

Then another punishing run by Farrar ended with Brocklebank touching down in the corner on 48 minutes despite the efforts of three defender's and Egremont were in front for the first time.

Then came the game breaker. Jack Stainton fended-off a much bigger defender before setting off on a mazy run which ended with him crashing over by the posts. Brocklebank converted.

On the hour Leak collected his second try, a typical poacher’s effort as he did well to spin out of a tackle from dummy half . Brocklebank again converted.

St Jude’s weren’t about to lie down though and crossed for two more tries, one of which was converted.

There was only four points between the two sides but Egremont ended the home supporters’ hopes on 78 minutes when Leon Crellin got on the end of a deft Brocklebank kick to score. Brocklebank converted.

Alistair Leak, the official man of the match, was back to his cheeky best but there were super performances all round. Jack Stainton defies his age every week and performed magnificently while Richard Farrar continually blasted holes in the St Jude’s defence.

First published at 11:28, Monday, 09 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk