Close call but Cumbria end on a low note
Last updated 14:55, Friday, 28 March 2008
Cumberland completed their Under-20 programme with a 20-12 defeat at Kendal against Lancashire.
It left the Cumbrians with only the one win against Northumberland and defeats against Yorkshire, Cheshire, Durham and Lancashire.
But coach Phil Healey said: “Although we are disappointed to have lost four of the five games we were only well beaten in one of them, by the reigning champions Yorkshire.
“There were massive pluses in the other three defeats – the one against Cheshire was only by a point and up until the last minute there was only a score in it against Lancashire.
“There is a lot to build on because 14 of the squad of 22 are available again in this age group next year.”
Cumbria played with the wind behind them in the first-half but hardly saw the ball for 20 minutes.
Lancashire had their opportunities to score but some solid Cumbrian defence get them out.
Gradually Cumbria started to gain territory and possession and were unlucky when the pack drove over from a maul and the referee was on the wrong side to see a Cumbrian forward touchdown. The try was disallowed.
After a score-less first half Lancashire took the lead in the first minute after the resumption.
The full-back stepped inside a tackle on the 10 metres line and raced away to score under the posts. The conversion was a formality.
But Cumbria came back and their backs always looked dangerous. When Penrith winger Jonathan Potter was given some space outside he stepped round his opposite number and inside the full-back to score an unconverted try.
James Clark had an opportunity to put Cumbria ahead but a penalty attempt into the wind faded just outside the upright.
Lancashire responded by applying pressure of their own, which eventually earned them a penalty which was kicked.
More Lancashire pressure earned them a crucial try ten minutes from time and a 17-5 lead looked safe.
But again a spirited Cumbrian response earned them another try after Clark, Stephen Moss and Jon Fell had been involved. In the end Fell chose not to use a two man overlap and shot through to score the try which Clark converted.
Although Cumbria tried hard they were penned back in the closing stages and another penalty for Lancashire was the final score of the game.
