CUMBRIA 0 YORKSHIRE 30
A classy performance from Yorkshire Open Age saw them take the box seat in this season's BARLA Three County Championship.
Despite a spirited opening from the hosts it soon became apparent that Yorkshire possessed that extra bit of experience and know-how with halfbacks Nathan Slater (Skirlaugh) and Danny Rowse (Hunslet Club Parkside) sitting behind a pack that took control.
Despite an injury affected year Jamie Fields (Hunslet Club Parkside) announced his return to the County scene with a typical try from close range, hulking over before adding the conversion. Yorkshire soon hit double figures when Rowse smartly supported Kieran Murphy (Hunslet Club Parkside) on the left and crossed wide out.
Cumbria rallied with the likes of Mathew Bewsher (Egremont), Callum Nelson (Barrow Island) and particularly Hanley Dawson (Millom) looking busy but with the halfbacks failing to create much, Yorkshire defended well.
Then as in the Under 19s game, The white rose struck before the break when the impressive Murphy somehow touched the ball down amid a heap of bodies.
If 14-0 was a difficult enough task, it became even tougher for Cumbria when Slater arrowed through from a scrum after 53 minutes and Gareth Blackburn (Siddal) goaled to make it 20-0. Skirlaugh pivot Slater, who scored 14 tries this season, then zipped in for his second in five minutes and Blackburn's boot made it 26-0.
Again Cumbria rallied with Adam Kelly (Millom) working hard and Jason Graham (Ellenborough) continuing his fine form from the previous week against Lancashire, but Yorkshire were too strong and emphasised that in the last minute when a Rowse cross field kick was taken by Sam Walsh (Siddal) at the corner and he dived over. Fields couldn't convert from the touchline but Yorkshire were good value for their six-try, 30-0 win in the tricky conditions.
CUMBRIA: Jake Stockdale (Barrow Island), Jordan Stafferi (Walney), Sam Jones (Barrow Island), Leon Crellin (Egremont), Lee Postlethwaite (Millom), Adam Jackson (Barrow Island), Connor Saunders (Ulverston), Jonny Goulding (Cockermouth), Noah Robinson (Millom), Carl McBain (Barrow Island), Mathew Bewsher (Egremont), Callum Nelson (Barrow Island), Hanley Dawson (Millom). Subs: Adam Kelly (Millom), Jordon O'Leary (Seaton), Jason Graham (Ellenborough), Josh Baylis (Hindpool)
YORKSHIRE: Craig McShane (Hunslet Club Parkside), Gareth Blackburn (Siddal), Henry Turner (Siddal), Sean Gee (Cutsyke), Sam Walsh (Siddal), Nathan Slater (Skirlaugh), Danny Rowse (Hunslet Club Parkside), Sam Heppell (Skirlaugh), Danny Rushworth (Siddal), Jamie Fields (Hunslet Club Parkside), Kieran Murphy (Hunslet Club Parkside), Elliot Morgan (Hunslet Club Parkside), Mikey Waite (Hunslet Club Parkside). Subs: Jack McShane (Hunslet Club Parkside), Kian Morgan (Almondbury Spartans), Brad Gill (Hunslet Warriors), John Elkington (Milford)
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