Distington progress to the Cumberland Cup Final after their win over Ellenborough

Both halves were pretty symmetrical as Distington had led 16-12 at the break.

But Ellenborough weren’t helped by the fact that none of their five tries were converted.

Distington had taken the lead on 14 minutes with a try by Grant Dryden which Scott George converted.

But, as they did throughout the half, Elbra kept hitting back and on 20 minutes Kevin Hoban raced in for a try.

Four minutes later, Nicky Cook went over for an unconverted try for Distington.

Back came Elbra and on the half-hour Liam Wilson scored their second try.

There was still time for both teams to score again before the break. Gavin Martin got over for Distington and Clayton Sutton added the conversion.

But Ellenborough had the last word in the half when Brett Stevenson crossed to cut the deficit to four points.

Crucially, it was Distington who scored first after the restart with Cook going in for his second on 44 minutes. Four minutes later, Sutton put over a penalty.

Elbra needed a score to get back into it and, on the hour, Andrew Ostle made the home line.

Distington pulled clear on 70 minutes when Cook completed his hat-trick and Sutton gave them more breathing space with a successful conversion.

There as just a hint of a late Elbra revival when Hoban nipped in for his second touchdown five minutes from time.

But, a minute from the end, Jamie Friel scored the last try for Distington to confirm their place in the final.

There’s only one game in the Premier Division of the National Conference – but what a contest in prospect.

It’s the west Cumbrian derby between Kells and Wath Brow, who both have two games in hand of all the other sides in the league.

A win for the Hornets would push them into second place in the table, just four points behind leaders Siddal with a game in hand.

Kells ambitions might not be as lofty, but they know if they win both their matches in hand, they will be in contention for a top four finish.

It’s Kells who have ground advantage on this occasion but the two sides have to do it again at Wath Brow towards the end of the season.

Kells A also have a big game tomorrow as they play at Walney Central A in the final of the Cumbria Shield.

Meanwhile, amateur clubs in Cumbria have been warned about the growing menace of verbal abuse to referees.

It’s a subject that raises it’s ugly head from time to time, and appears to have been prevalent again this season.

More offenders are being noted as they are brought in front of the disciplinary panel in relation to the abuse of officials.

The management committee have issued a statement in which they forcefully repeat that any form of referee abuse will not be tolerated.

“The management committee will come down hard on offenders. In our area, we do not have a large pool of referees and should we lose them (which we have) then games will undoubtedly be postponed,” they say.

While on the subject of abuse, it has been noted that once again social media has been used to hit out at the CARL management committee – in this latest case for something that had absolutely nothing to do with them.

Should anyone have any complaints they are invited to get in touch with officials Kenny Millican or Lorraine Degraff.

In the Cumbria Men’s League tomorrow, Ellenbrough and Glasson have a quick re-introduction after last Friday’s clash.

Ellenborough won 49-18 at Glasson and this time will have ground advantage.

Leaders Hensingham entertain Seaton Rangers and their nearest rivals Distington also have a home game against Wath Brow Hornets.

In an all-south Cumbrian clash Ulverston entertain Walney Central.

There’s only one game schedule in the Iggesund Cumberland ARL and that goes ahead tonight with bottom side Broughton Red Rose entertaining the current leaders Cockermouth.