Last updated at 10:16, Monday, 07 May 2012

Aspatria pulled off a remarkable Cumberland Cup victory when they beat First Division heavyweights Seaton Rangers 17-12 at St Mungo’s Park.

A large crowd was there to see what many neutrals would have suggested was a banker away win – but not so.

There was a bright start from both teams, with Seaton looking strong in the middle of the park and the Aspatria defence looking up to the task.

Such was the even nature of the game that it was still 0-0 after a quarter-of-an- hour before a moment of magic from centre Darryl Creighton gave the home side the lead. He went on a mazy run to score the Hornets try of the season so far and Luke Johnson added the conversion.

The Hornets doubled their lead soon after when stand-off Billy Dalton pounced on a mistake to sprint 90 metres to score under the posts and again Johnson added the conversion.

Seaton responded well and before half-time had cut the deficit to 12-8. Big winger Matthew Dixon got over in the corner and then went in for a second try, but crucially both conversions were missed.

The second half saw defences on top with the score remaining the same for the first quarter. It was Seaton whom broke the deadlock with a try from Alex McDonald who burrowed over from close range and with the conversion going wide again, the scores were level.

Seaton could sense blood but Aspatria nosed ahead with a cheeky drop goal from impressive 17-year-old stand-off Johnson.

Seaton then tried a short kick-off but Richard Holliday caught the ball and ran it back to great effect, going in for the clinching try after a 50-metre dash. The conversion was missed but the Hornets held on for a famous victory.

The weekend had started with Cup matches planned for the Friday night but unfortunately two of the three ties were called-off. Clifton conceded their home game against Wath Brow while Lowca did the same ahead of their trip to Maryport.

The one Cup game which did go ahead saw Broughton Red Rose beat Frizington 26-6 but there was encouragement in defeat for the visitors who had been struggling previously to find enough players to maintain the team in the League.

It was a particularly brave effort as they trailed 20-0 at the break and could have capitulated but hung in well and actually shared the second-half 6-6.

The Red Rose tries were scored by Shane Williams (2), Scott Williams, Matt Ritson and Lee Askew while Dan Rayson kicked three goals. Cark Farrel scored the Frizington try and added the conversion.

The most anticipated tie of the round was at Distington where the current First Division leaders took on title favourites Kells.

It was tight at half-time, when Kells led 4-0 but they put some daylight between themselves and their rivals in the second period to win 24-6.

Lewis Smith helped himself to a couple of tries for Kells and he was joined on the score-sheet by Ryan Watson and Grant McLaughlin. Ryan Robb kicked three goals and Gary Smith also put over one. Dave Lowrey was their man of the match.

The Distington try came from Troy Armstrong and Scott George added the goal.

The other tie was a high-scoring Maryport derby in which Glasson came-out 40-32 winners against Ellenborough.

Nathan Lucock (2), John Fiddler (2), Greg Rowley, Chris Thomlinson, Greg Mounsey, Dean Scholey and Lee Taylor scored the Glasson tries. Scholey and Taylor kicked two goals apiece.

Ellenborough, who had trailed 20-8 at half-time, kept in the game with tries from Andy Ostle (2), Paul Blaney, Kevin Hoban, Stephen Stoddart and Brett Stephenson. Stoddart kicked four goals.

First published at 09:12, Monday, 07 May 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk