LANCASHIRE OPEN UNDER 19S CHAMPIONSHIP WITH WIN OVER CUMBRIA

LANCASHIRE OPEN UNDER 19S CHAMPIONSHIP WITH WIN OVER CUMBRIA

LANCASHIRE 56 CUMBRIA 12

Lancashire Under 19s opened their BARLA Three Counties Series with a big victory over Cumbria at a damp Leigh Miners Rangers.

Cumbria made the best possible start when Elliott Bibby (Walney Central) made the most of good play by Ethan Bickerdike (Millom) to cross out wide. Jack Kellett (Hensingham) who impressed on the same ground a few weeks earlier for the Community Lions Under 19s, missed the conversion and his second attempt on goal after Charlie Emslie showed good strength.

That came after Shevington forwards Tom O'Loughlin twisted over from close range to open Lancashire's account and then added the goal.

Trailing 6-8, Lancashire struck twice in four minutes with two tries down the right. Reece Storey (Wigan St Judes) went in and was soon followed by an acrobatic finish from Orrell St James wing Sean Findlow touched down at the corner.

Cumbria went on the attack again with industrious forward Brad Richards (Dalton) crashing through from dummy half but the conversion attempt from Zac Steel (Askam) went wide. 16-12 seemed a likely half-time score but Lancashire had other ideas when classy Leigh Miners Rangers fullback Adam Livesey went in and Joe Heaton (Hindley) goaled.

The new half saw Lancashire take control with some punishing defence and two tries in the first eleven minutes. Both went the way of Livesey and were goaled by O'Loughlin. The Red rose county finished strongly with four tries in a deadly ten-minute spell to deluge the visitor defence.

Latchford Albion forward Charlie McCurrie burst through for two quick-fire tries and more swift play saw Olly Crompton go in at the corner.

A frustrating second half for Cumbria was compounded when prop forward Connor Terrill (Millom) was sinbinned and Lancashire rounded off their scoring with their tenth try when space was worked for Storey to claim his second and Heaton added his fourth goal.

 

Lancashire:

Adam Livesey (Leigh Miners Rangers), Ben Harper (Latchford), Olly Crompton (Leigh Miners Rangers), Reece Storey (Wigan St Judes), Sean Findlow (Orrell St James), Matty Ellis (Latchford), Callum Coleman (Leigh Miners Rangers), Harry Darby (Leigh Miners Rangers), Michael Cashin (Oldham St Annes), Tom O'Loughlin (Shevington Sharks), Sam Eyres (Saddleworth), Andrew Badrock (Leigh Miners Rangers), Kieran Taylor (Orrell St James). Subs: Joe Heaton (Hindley) Ryan Ellis (Orrell St James), Connor Grainey (Leigh East), Charlie McCurrie (Latchford).

Tries: O'Loughlin (10), Storey (18, 75), Findlow (22), Livesey (39, 43, 51) McCurrie (65, 68), Crompton (71).

Goals: O'Loughlin 4, Heaton 4.

Cumbria: Ethan Bickerdike (Millom), Elliott Bibby (Walney Central) Zac Steek (Askam), Evan Jones (Dalton), Kieran Fleming (Kells), James Ennis (Kells), Jack Kellett (Hensingham), Connor Terrill (Millom), Jacob Johnson (Lowca), Astin Mossop (Millom), Jack Stepehnson (Dalton), Charlie Emslie (Millom), Will Ennis (Kells). Subs: Shane Sanderson (Barrow Island), Karl Garner (Kells), Brad Richards (Dalton), Aaron Turnbull.

Tries: Bibby (4), Emslie (14), Richards (35).