West round-up

Apr 27 2008 Sunday Sun

KENDAL completed a league and cup double when they beat Aspatria 35-25 in the Cumbria Cup Final at Penrith.

Having gone through the North One programme without dropping a point, Kendal started firm favourites against a team who will be two leagues below next season.

But Aspatria hadn’t read the script and produced some of their best rugby of the season as they took a 10-0 lead.

Good support play produced the opening try from Mark Irving which former Kendal player Mike Scott converted. Scott increased the lead with a penalty before Kendal started to get back into the game.

Aspatria kept giving away penalties, and by half-time Kendal had cut the deficit to 10-9 with three successful kicks by Dan Stephens.

Early in the second half Scott landed a drop goal for Aspatria, but the gap was reduced to a point once again when Stephens put one over for the holders.

The penalty count rose steadily in Kendal’s favour and they took the lead for the first time with a penalty try which Stephens converted.

Kendal hit a purple patch and pulled away to a 35-13 lead with further tries by Billy Coxon and Mark Wilson.

But Aspatria battled well in the closing stages and Lee Tinnion went over for a try which Scott converted.

From the last move of the game South African centre Heinrich Jonker went over for an unconverted try.

In the North Lancs Cumbria League, Wigton beat St Benedicts 23-5 at Whitehaven.

Already relegated Saints started well and took the lead with a try by Christian Wood.

Wigton responded well and Tane Manihera went over for a try which he converted.

Manihera kicked three penalties in the second half and victory was rounded off with a try from Stuart Ward which Manihera converted.