Last updated 19:44, Thursday, 28 February 2008

IT WAS like old times at Red Beck Road on Saturday when Wath Brow and Elbra, separated at first team level since Hornets’ acceptance into the National Conference League several years ago, locked horns in the most venerated knock out competition of all.

An estimated four-figure crowd, packed deep around the perimeter fencing, witnessed an appropriately traditional thriller, played out on an equally traditional heavy pitch in a competition that will climax in the heat of late August at Wembley.

Wath Brow will not be present on that occasion, not on the pitch anyway. But they will certainly be in the hat, together with professional National League clubs such as Whitehaven and Workington Town, when the draw for the third round is made in Keith Hopwood’s living room in Newton-le-Willows on Thursday evening, Mr Hopwood having won a ballot of supporters conducted by the Rugby Football League for the privilege.

Elbra have missed out by a whisker but the Halbro Cumbria Cup holders can have few complaints, Hornets securing a spot in the limelight largely by dint of having registered the only try of the game.

The vital score came four minutes into the second period, with the scores locked at 4-4.

There appeared to be little danger when Wath Brow’s Andrew Hocking received the ball on the visitors’ 20-metre line; but the scrum-half had spotted a glimmer of an opportunity, and his pinpoint grubber gave alert centre Francis King the chance to pounce.

Hornets, with conditions deteriorating and handling becoming increasingly difficult, never looked back.

Rangers did manage a penalty by stand off Stephen Stoddart in response, but the further score that could have rescued the situation simply failed to materialise in the face of committed defence, leaving the National Conference League Division One promotion chasers worthy winners.

The sin binning of Elbra hooker Barrie Murdock in the first half may also have had an impact, teams not necessarily feeling the effect of being a man short until later in a game.

Murdock departed after Wath Brow stand-off Craig Johnstone had opened the scoring with a penalty, Johnstone duly stretching the home lead with his second goal.

Despite huge efforts by the likes of Hornets prop Mark Troughton and his opposite number Paul West, with Wath Brow back-row men Gary Elliott and David Pettit also impressing and Elbra prop Kevin Clarke responding in kind, there was no further score until half-time approached, when Stoddart kicked his first goal.

The stand-off landed his equalising score immediately on the restart but celebrations were quickly put on hold in the light of King’s touchdown.

Wath Brow second-row Mickey McAllister was typically wholehearted throughout, while Hornets’ substitute Neil Gregg had a ‘try’ ruled out, late in the first half, for a forward pass by Hocking.

Wath Brow Hornets: Gavin Curwen; Paul Byers, Francis King, Andrew Stables, Jonny Machin; Craig Johnstone, Andrew Hocking; Mark Troughton, James Toman, David Currie, Mickey McAllister, Gary Elliott, David Pettit. Subs: Barry Hardman, Neil Gregg, James McClellan, Phil Coyles.

Ellenborough Rangers: David Sewell; Paul Southward, Steven Brough, David Whitworth, Dean Scholey; Steven Stoddart, Eddie Robinson; Kevin Clarke, Barrie Murdock, Paul West, Paul McGee, Craig Holdsworth, Andy Sawyers. Subs: Kyle Lofthouse, Darren Branthwaite, Jamie Watson, Lee Albert.

Millom tumbled out of the competition at Halbro Lancashire Cup holders Bank Quay Bulls, who shot into a 16-point lead in as many minutes and, despite the efforts of such as Tom Sibley, Brad Crellin, Paul Evans and Paul Lupton, won 29-0.