Hensingham edged out Ellenborough 22-20 in a thrilling start to the Iggesund Premier Division programme.

Champions of the last Cumbria Men’s League, Hensingham are bidding to follow-up in the reshaped Cumberland League but Ellenborough made them work hard for the win.

On a day that was never going to suit free-flowing rugby, Hensingham started the quicker and within five minutes had taken the lead.

A neat left-to-right shift put Jamie Brown in on the right flank and Andrew Smith, picking up the kicking tee for the first time in two years, slotted a touchline conversion.

The two sides traded sets for 15 minutes with neither being able to turn possession into points until the 22nd minute.

Ellenborough spread the ball the width of the field in their own 20 sending Andy Ostle 80 metres to touch down under the sticks. His brother Jordan Ostle converted.

The visitors had a mini purple patch and within five minutes were on the score sheet again after dragging in the Hensingham defence. It was Matty Bell wide on Hensingham’s left edge who scored and Ostle again converted.

Hensingham steadied the ship and on the back of some big runs from Jordan Thomson and Nick Maudling worked their way to the Ellenborough line. It gave Chris Smith the opportunity to pinch a trademark hooker’s try. This time Jack Kellett slotted the extras.

An Ostle penalty early in the second half edged Elbra back in front and it stayed that way until the mid-point when Scott McAvoy powered his way over from short range.

In the 65th minute, Ellenborough took advantage of a fumbled high kick and an unorganised defence to put Brett Stevenson in for a try just to the right of the sticks which Ostle converted.

With conditions worsening the sides traded errors and Elbra retained their four point advantage until the 79th minute when Daniel Smith forced his way over the line just by the right corner flag.

Sixteen-year-old debutant Kellet, showing the composure of a seasoned professional, stepped up and converted from the touchline to seal the narrow win for the home side.

It was even more of a mudbath at Seaton where the home side beat Glasson Rangers 16-10.

It was all square 10-10 at the break but in the test of stamina which followed Seaton just had enough to seal it with a try and goal.

Miguel Blanco Charters, Liam Bates and Jordan O Leary scored the Seaton tries with Mark Walker kicking two goals.

Glasson, who were always in contention, replied with tries from Josh Jones and Gary Tierney with a goal from Keenan Winter.

In the other Premier Division game Distington won 24-0 at Kells A, scoring five tries in the process.

It was 14-0 at half-time and Distington finished with tries from Greg Bedford, Grant Dryden, Bryan Ritchie, Dan Park and Adam Conway. Kieran Worthington kicked two goals.

In Division One, Wath Brow A started with a 28-6 home win against Cockermouth Titans, building on a 1-6 lead at the break.

James McCartney (2), Daniel Burns (2) and James McClennan (2) scored the Wath Brow tries. Matt Sibbald and Jamie Sharp kicked a goal apiece.

Roy Scott scored Cockermouth’s try with Jack Clarke kicking a goal.

Lowca were too strong for Broughton Red Rose and finished clear by 36-0, scoring seven tries in the process without reply.

The touchdowns came from Ellis Scott (2), Paul McNally (2), Emerson Allen, Tony Hetherington and Greg Smith. Callum Sirkett kicked four goals.

In the other game Egremont A beat Flimby 36-16 although the villagers won the second-half 12-8.

The hosts did the hard work in the first-half as they fashioned a 28-4 lead at the break but Flimby’s revival will give them hope for the future Lee Cruden, Callum Aitlen, Pat Bennett, Joe Bold, Billy Thompson, and Rhys Davies. Joe Bold kicked five goals. The Flimby tries came from Iestyn Hughes, Callum Moffat and Grant Mounsey. Moffat kicked two goals.

The game between Aspatria and Hensingham A was called-off.