Cumbria runs out double winners over Lancashire
Last updated 19:41, Thursday, 01 May 2008
CUMBRIA’S amateur league stars inflicting a double whammy on Lancashire on Sunday beating them at open age and U19 levels.
The victories at Oldham St Anne’s, following previous wins over Yorkshire, sealed a double County Championship triumph.
Cumbria repelled a strong rally by the Red Rose county to win the inaugural BARLA U19 game 16-8.
Having beaten Yorkshire 42-0 at Millom at the end of March and Lancashire edging the Tykes a couple of weeks later in York, Cumbria were favourites to prevail.
And they defied the heavy conditions by easing into an eight-point lead with a try by centre Arron Law, of Barrow Island, which Kells loose forward Tony Burns improved.
With second row pair Matthew Laybourne, of Hensingham, and Brett Phillips, of Seaton, dominating the centre of the field, Cumbria appeared to be in control but were pegged back to 8-6 at the break with a converted try.
Lancashire levelled with a penalty 14 minutes into the second period but the bigger Cumbrian side, finding extra resolve, edged ahead again when Burns landed a penalty on the hour.
And, with conditions deteriorating, Cumbria notched the clinching try when a kick by Egremont's John Paul Brocklebank was fumbled. Millom winger Elliott Miller pounced for an opportunist score and Burns adding the extras from the touchline.
Meanwhile, the Open Age side won 22-20 although Lancashire, who recorded two tries in the last six minutes, were more easily disposed of than the final scoreline might suggest.
The home side forged an eight-point lead with a try and two goals but Cumbria, who had fine performers in Kells stand-off Ryan Robb, Ellenborough scrum-half Eddie Robinson and Cockermouth centre John Patrick - who kept international centre Gavin Corfield under wraps - hit back to lead 16-10 at half-time with tries by Elbra winger David Sewell and hooker Kyle Lofthouse, Robb adding four fine goals.
Lancashire threatened with a penalty, but Cumbria made certain of victory, before the late home flourish, when Robb scampered over as the game entered the final quarter, adding his fifth goal in a very notable performance.
