Last updated at 11:25, Monday, 16 July 2012

Cockermouth were only four minutes away from completing one of the biggest cup upsets of recent times.

Kells celebrate

The underdogs were leading hot favourites Kells 20-16 in the final of the SJR Cumberland Cup, the most prestigious trophy on offer from the Iggesund Cumberland ARL.

Then Kells grabbed an equalising try just as League officials were looking for Cockermouth’s ribbons to tie to the trophy. The conversion attempt was missed, however, and the game went to extra-time where it needed a try three minutes from the end to earn Kells the victory 26-20 and their second trophy of the season.

Maryport’s Athletic Ground has staged some thrilling, rumbustious and entertaining games over many years but few can have been as dramatic. Kells knew they had got out of jail.

Remarkably Cockermouth had never been behind in 97 minutes of rugby until Tony Benson split their defence deep into extra time ton give Kells the lead for the first time. Young Ben Milburn added the conversion – and those six points broke Cockermouth hearts.

Two minutes into the game Kells gave away a penalty and Jack Clark stepped-up to land the goal which gave Cockermouth the start they wanted.

It got better for Cockermouth on ten minutes when an up-and-under wasn’t properly dealt with by Lewis smith and Mark Haycock capitalised. He went over in the corner and Clark added an excellent conversion.

Then followed some tough tackling exchanges through the middle before substitute Milburn threw a big dummy and stepped inside two would-be tacklers to score on 25 minutes. Ryan Robb converted to cut the gap to two points.

That stirred-on the unbeaten league leaders and they applied some strong pressure on the Cockermouth line but were met with some grim and resolute defence.

Then five minutes before the break a wild, wide ball from Kells saw Sean Mumberson take a smart interception to race 70 yards and score his side’s second try. Clark’s conversion put Cockermouth into a 14-6 lead which they held until half-time.

Five minutes into the second half Burns slipped a clever pass inside for the run of Milburn. He collected and went through the gap untouched for a try which Robb converted. Again there were two points between the sides.

That's how it stayed until the 65th minute when Cockermouth’s Andrew Mitchell collected a Kells’ grubber to race 80 yards and score in the corner. When Clark added another good touchline conversion Cockermouth seemed to be in dreamland at 20-12.

Kells responded superbly, though and three minutes later they scored. Scott Lofthouse flipped a ball out for Connor Holliday to score an unconverted try in the corner.

Some great defence by Cockermouth kept Kells at bay until the 76th minute when Craig Benson gave Holliday a ball to cross in the right corner.

It was a pressure kick and 16-year-old Milburn didn’t mind having a go but his conversion just failed and the tie went to extra-time.

There were no further points in the first period of extra-time and it really was looking as if there wouldn’t be a winner when Kells grabbed the crucial score.

Burns split the Cockermouth defence to crash over with just three minutes remaining and Milburn added the extras.

First published at 11:24, Monday, 16 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk