Wilson winner sees cupholders through (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Wilson winner sees cupholders through

9:14am Friday 28th March 2008 in Sport By Dennis Aris

WITH half an eye on the need to win at least one more league match to all but ensure automatic prom-otion, Story Cumbria Cup holders Kendal sent a team liberally laced with second-teamers for their first match in defence of the trophy.

In an enthralling game at Workington's Ellis Park it turned out that there were still just enough aces in the pack to win the day - although it was a close-run thing.

Meanwhile, Penrith beat St Benedict's 47-3 in their tie, which sets up another mouth-watering clash between the two North Division One sides when the semi-final is staged at Kendal's Mint Bridge ground on April 5.

Workington................29 Kendal........................36.

A LARGE crowd at Ellis Park on Easter Saturday saw a fascinating battle right up to the final whistle between Workington Zebras and Kendal with a place in the semi-finals of the Story Cumbria Cup at stake.

On a bright but very breezy afternoon it was Workington who played with the wind to their backs in the first half. And although on a few occasions Workington kicked deep, it was amazing in the conditions that neither side (and Kendal were even more guilty in the second half) took advantage of the wind by utilising their kicking game.

From a spectator's point of view this was only a good thing as it produced an exciting, open free flowing game of rugby to which both sides fully contributed.

It was soon apparent that the two packs were closely matched and despite quick ball being produced at the breakdown, the opening score did not come until the 24th minute.

This was mainly due to the solid tackles the Workington side made, especially full back Michael Hawley's tackle on Kendal captain Ian Voortman, who looked to be clean through on the tryline in the 20th minute Kendal managed to build some pressure over the next few minutes and from a driving maul close to the line, second-row Reece Tomlinson was driven-over to score his first First XV try.

Moments later Workington got on the scoreboard when Kendal conceded a penalty just inside their own half and stand-off Kevin Harper made no mistake with his attempt at goal.

Three minutes before half time the Kendal forwards again drove the ball close to the Workington line and from the ruck scrum-half James Gough sneaked over with a sniping run up the blindside.

Neither of Kendal's tries were converted into the wind, but they held a seven-point lead until a minute before half time when Workington hooker Neil Hastings scored an unconverted try to cut the deficit to 10-8 Kendal went back on the attack in the second half and left wing Andrew Boardley scored wide out in the 55th minute and he just missed with his own conversion attempt.

Workington came back immediately with their second try.

Full back Hawley hit the back line at pace to burst through the Kendal 22 and touch down beside the posts and Kevin Harper converted to level the scores at 15-15.

The Kendal pack then got to work in earnest with second-row Liam Hayton crashing over for a try, converted by Boardley, to re-establish Kendal's seven-point lead.

That lead only lasted two minutes before Hawley again crossed the whitewash to score his second for Workington and Harper again converted.

In the 68th minute a wonderful passage of play saw Ian Voortman benefit with a try beneath the posts, with Boardley adding the extras.

Less than five minutes later Workington had the put-in at a five-metre scrum and, with the Kendal defence bystanders, No. 8 David Bowe picked from the back of the scrum and ran round under the posts.

It gave Harper the simplest of conversions to level the scores at 29-29, setting up a grandstand finish in the last ten minutes.

As the clock ticked down both sides gave their all in search of a decisive score and it was Kendal who secured it, working the ball downfield for replacement No. 8 Mark Wilson to take the final pass to score beside the posts.

With the final kick of the game, Boardley was successful with the conversion to seal a hard-fought victory.