Kells Under-18s picked up a hard-fought North West Counties Cup victory on the road at the weekend.

The talented Whitehaven youngsters won 22-14 at the home of Orrell after coming from behind in the early stages.

It was the home side who opened the scoring with a neat try in the corner but that just spurred Kells on and they struck back.

Kells’ Dan Starkie replied when he broke the Orrell line and scored under the sticks, Cameron Taylor adding the extras to put them into the lead at 6-4.

Lewis Barwise then made a clever line break and handed James Ennis a walk in try under the sticks, with Taylor again on target with the two points to double their advantage at 12-4.

Taylor was then called on to make a try saving tackle in a foot race against the opposition. The quick youngster made the tackle but was then sin-binned for lying on and Kells were down to 12 men.

Orrell took advantage of their extra man and scored two quick tries in succession but missed the second conversion so only had a two point lead at 14-12.

But then, just before half time, Kells came back at their hosts to take a crucial lead in at the break.

A clever little inside ball from James Ennis found Clarke Chambers on an angled run and crashed over under the posts, Taylor returning to the field in time to slot over the conversion, to make it 18-14 to Kells.

Moving into the second half and it was Kells who opened the scoring to widen the gap over their hosts. Will Ennis put on a display as he ran 40-yards to score in the corner but Taylor missed with the conversion from the touchline.

Both teams continued to test each as the clock ticked down but Kells hung on for a fantastic away win with Daniel Starkie earning the man of the match for Kells.