Last updated 19:41, Thursday, 24 April 2008

ELLENBOROUGH Rangers are through to the final of the will the Bartlett’s Insurance Champion of Champions Series.

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HARD: Elbra’s Kevin Clark, left, and David Sewell put in some hard tackling

They will take on Warrington’s Bank Quay Bulls at Fylde RUFC, Blackpool, on May 24, when, also, Wath Brow contest the Barla National Cup final.

At Solway Park, Maryport, last Saturday Ellenborough, holders of the Cumbria Cup, beat Yorkshire Cup champions, Queens, 22-21.

Ellenborough’s No.6 Stephen Stoddart, not for the first time this season, played a major part in their progress, landing a drop goal four minutes from time which drew his side level after the Leeds outfit had nosed ahead, and then adding another one-pointer in the final minute to clinched a notable victory.

Queens, of Leeds, who accepted their defeat in a thoroughly sporting manner which impressed observers who had been concerned over alleged incidents on a previous visit to Cumbria, had established a nine-point lead in the first half before David Whitworth, another key figure, opened Ellenborough's account a minute before the break.

Whitworth went on to score a hat-trick, with his second try on the hour helping his side to a five-point lead after Stephen Brough had nipped over and Stoddart had landed the conversion.

Queens, for whom ex-Wakefield Trinity centre Andy Wilson had crossed in the first half, retrieved their lead when former Castleford and Batley second-row Craig Wright powered over for a converted try.

Whitworth, however, hit back in the 73rd minute with his third score, Stoddart again improving, only for Wright to pounce on a loose ball for his second touchdown, the goal giving the Leeds outfit a one-point advantage.

Stoddart, though, proved to be the coolest man on the field, securing Rangers a place in the limelight with his drop-goal double whammy.

Rangers’ oppenents in the final, Bank Quay Bulls - the Lancashire Cup holders and newly-crowned and unbeaten North West Counties League champions - also had a narrow victory in the other semi, requiring a drop-goal in the last minute to defeat Sharlston Rovers.

In the John Smith’s Cumberland division two top four play-offs Wigton suffered a surprise 34-14 defeat at home to Lowca.

Lee Allen scored a hat-trick for Lowca, Tony Tinkler crossed twice, and Paul Lancaster touched down. Keith Campbell converted all but one effort. Wayne Southward and Chris Pattinson replied for Wigton, who were only 12-8 behind at half-time, and Andrew Logue landed three goals.

Cockermouth scored four tries to Seaton Rangers’ three three in the E Lamb & Son Cumberland Amateur Cup but lost 20-18, partly through the ineligibility of regular goal kicker Craig Fisher.

John Patrick landed one goal from a number of difficult efforts, including conversion attempts for two tries by Mark McMallin and touchdowns by Jordan Skillen and Richard Bowe. Richard George crossed twice for Seaton, Chris George popped over, and Duncan Moyle kicked four goals.

n On Tuesday Ellenborough kept alive the division one title race with a 36-12 win at Seaton.

The Maryport outfit must now beat Hensingham next week to set up a title decider against leaders Kells.

First-half tries from David Whitworth, Craig Holdsworth, Paul McGee, and two from Dean Scholey, plus five Stephen Stoddart goals, put the visitors 30-6 up at the break.

Paul Rooke replied with a try for Seaton and Andy McGlasson kicked a penalty.

James McKay touched down first after the interval for Seaton, Chris George converting. Kyle Lofthouse hit back for Ellenborough, Stoddart goaling.

Kells beat Broughton Red Rose 40-16 to reach the SJR Cumberland Cup final. It was tight at the interval, Kells leading 20-16.

But they took charge in the second half, adding a further 20 unanswered points. Ryan Goggins, Stephen Kirkbride, two, Ashley McDonald, Paul Cullnean, Barry Boyd, Ryan Robb and Shaun Flanaghan crossed for the Whitehaven side, Robb slotting four goals.

Ryan Moore, David Thurlow and Paul Askew notched four-pointers for Red Rose, Mark Walker adding two goals.

Cockermouth reached the Division Two Top Four final at the expense of Frizington, who went down 44-20.

Gareth Skillen and Liam Wild shared four tries for Cockermouth, while Jonny Goulding, Paul Graffin, John Patrick and Mark McMillin also touched down. Skillen slotted six goals.

Results - Bartlett’s Insurance Champion of Champions, semi-final: finals: Ellenborough Rangers 22 Queens 21; Sharlston Rovers 12 Bank Quay Bulls 13.

E Lamb & Son Cumberland Amateur Cup, semi-final: Final: Cockermouth 18 Seaton 20.

John Smith’s Cumberland League Division Two Top Four semi-final: Wigton 14 Lowca 34.

Fixtures - Sunday, Barla County Championship: Lancashire U19s v Cumbria U19s (Oldham St Anne's, 1.30pm). Lancashire v Cumbria (Oldham St Anne's, 2.45pm).