Last updated at 11:29, Tuesday, 05 February 2008

ELLENBOROUGH continued their progress in the Barla National Cup, which they won in 1997, with an impressive 14-4 victory in the second round over CMS Yorkshire League champions Hunslet Old Boys.

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The Yorkshire outfit, who had beaten holders Halton Simms Cross in the opening stage, rarely looked capable of breaking Elbra’s tenacious defence and had to settle for a couple of penalties in the first half.

Rangers, level at 4-4 at the break after having posted two goals by Stephen Stoddart, secured a lead they were destined not to lose when Jamie Watson crossed 12 minutes into the second period.

And that was how it stayed until the 77th minute, when Barrie Murdock forced his way over and Stephen Stoddart added the extras.

Elbra have, by limiting Hunslet to four points, regained their position at the head of the Ravensport Tough Tackle Trophy table.

Rangers’ average points conceded is now a mere 8.46 per game, superior to former pacesetters Queens, of Leeds, whose average is now 8.78 following their 27-16 victory over Hull Dockers.

Elbra must travel to Thatto Heath Crusaders in the third round.

There was less good fortune, however, for Seaton who were dumped out of the competition by a late drop goal at Crosfields.

The Warrington side, known as the Soap, are struggling to avoid having to seek re-election to the National Conference League but gave themselves a boost with a 15-14 victory which was the shock result of the round.

The reigning John Smith’s Cumberland League champions had, in a seesaw encounter, gone into the closing stages 14-10 ahead, centre Tony Roper and second row Brett Phillips - Seaton’s best player - having crossed the whitewash, centre Duncan Moyle adding three goals.

But a home try on the hour set the platform for Rangers’ disappointment.

Millom also fell way in the closing stages, in this instance against higher-rated opposition. The Maroons, riding high in the National Conference League’s division, two, were 10-6 ahead against visitors East Hull, who are second in the premier division, but conceded three tries in the final quarter to lose 20-10.

Hensingham, determined to deny division one leaders Kells the chance to relax, maintained their own championship ambitions with a 58-6 victory over bottom side Great Clifton.

The visitors had only a Nicholas Burridge try and goal to show for their efforts -by contrast, Hensingham amassed 11 touchdowns, including a brace apiece for James Cartmell, Kyle Amor and Reece Fox.

Andrew Pattinson scored a try and five goals, there was a try and two goals for Craig McAvoy, and tries for David Cartmell, Lewis Salmon and Stuart Miller nipped over.

Elsewhere, Paul Osbourne crossed twice and there were tries for Steve Douglas and Matthew Jackson, with Mark Walker contributing two goals, in Broughton Red Rose’s 20-10 win against Maryport. Mark Foster and Patrick Vaughan touched down for Maryport and Simon Pattinson converted one effort.

Cockermouith may have opened up the battle for the division two championship.

Wigton remain six points clear but Cockermouth’s prospects of overhauling the leaders are much improved following a stunning 36-10 home win over them.

Wigton, behind 18-10 at the interval, never really got going after the resumption and rarely looked like adding to tries by Wayne Southward and Chris Paterson.

Mark Haycock, Lee Burns, John Patrick, Liam Wild, Mark McMillan and Matthew Nawrockyj slipped over for the home side, Craig Fisher improving each score. Andrew Logue kicked Wigton’s goal.

On a good day for Cockermouth Frizington, who are third in section, lost 18-6 at home to Egremont, whose National Conference League side was without a fixture.

John Paul Brocklebank led the way for the visitors with a try and three goals, while other touchdowns went to Andrew Greening and Ben Walker.

Frizington were limited to a try for Tony Nicholson which Wayne Burns improved.

Alan Murray crossed twice, and Craig Dolan, Jason Graham, Sean Wolfe and Mark Norman burst over - with Daniel Blaney kicking three goals - in Salterbeck As 30-12 verdict at Maryport A, for whom Grant Bethwaite registered a try and two goals, with Steve Cameron also crossing.

John Fiddler scored four tries for Glasson Rangers in their 42-10 win over Lowca, who were only 14-0 down at half-time, in the SJR Building Contractors Cumberland Cup.

Gary Pickering also impressed with a hat-trick, and Greg Rowley offered two tries and three goals.

Dean Morgan and Dave Colley replied for Lowca, Keith Campbell adding a conversion.

ACE Insurance (Europe) BARLA National Cup, round two: Crosfields 15 Seaton Rangers 14, Ellenborough Rangers 14 Hunslet Old Boys 4, Millom 10 East Hull 20.

Round three draw: Thatto Heath Crusaders v Ellenborough Rangers, Wath Brow, Hornets v Crosfields.

John Smith's Cumberland League - Division one: Broughton Red Rose 20 Maryport 10, Wath Brow Hornets 14 Distington 20, Hensingham 58 Great Clifton 6.

Division two: Seaton A v Kells A postponed, Cockermouth 36 Wigton 10, Frizington 6 Egremont 18, Maryport A 12 Salterbeck A 30.

SJR Building Contractors Cumberland Cup: Glasson Rangers 42 Lowca 10.

Carnegie Challenge Cup, Round one: Ellenborough Rangers v Saddleworth Rangers, Millom v Milford Marlins, Seaton Rangers v Featherstone Lions, Siddal v Egremont Rangers, Wath Brow Hornets v Heworth.

John Smith's Cumberland League - Division one: Great Clifton v Maryport.

Division two: Salterbeck Storm v Seaton A, Kells A v Wigton, Egremont v Maryport A, Flimby v Frizington.

SJR Building Contractors Cumberland Cup, round two: Cockermouth v Broughton Red Rose, Glasson Rangers v Kells.

First published at 19:30, Thursday, 31 January 2008
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk