RUGBY UNION By John Walsh

Last updated at 18:47, Friday, 02 April 2010

Wigton are just one win away from the North Lancs Cumbria League title – and they can wrap-up the championship this weekend.

The Greens, beaten only once all season, hope to be popping the champagne corks at Furness tomorrow as they search for their 23rd league victory of the season.

They go into the game on the back of a hard-earned 20-3 victory at St. Benedict’s, the first team to win at Mirehouse this season.

“The conditions made handling and getting quick ball very difficult so our attacking play was disappointing but as we have done all season the team defended superbly, to be the first team to win at St Benedict’s this season and not concede a try is a tremendous effort,” said coach Nigel Beaty. “Everyone is very focused on what we need to do this Saturday at Furness and the win would give the club it’s first-ever League title.”

Wigton will be virtually at full-strength for the trip to the south of the county and it promises to be a high-spirited journey home if they can collect the win.

The greens forwards dominated the set piece, particularly the lie-outs, which just didn’t function in the first-half for Benny’s.

Wigton fly-half David Hanabury was their man of the match as he ran the game well with intelligent kicking but it required a determined defensive effort to keep out the Whitehaven side.

Hanabury got Wigton away to a flying start with the opening try and the other touchdowns came from Matthew Atkinson and David Warwick. Greg Smith converted one and landed a penalty.

Carlisle and Penrith have to keep on winning – but or different reasons.

The city side is battling to stay in North One East while Penrith still have an outside chance of gaining promotion from National Three North.

Penrith kept their slim promotion hopes alive with a 24-23 win at Darlington Mowden Park.

League leaders Stockport slipped up at Birkenhead Park, which leaves them nine points having played a game more. If Penrith can win the game in hand and pick up another bonus point or two, they may yet travel to Stockport for the final game of the season with a mathematical chance of overhauling them.

Penrith's latest instalment was a hard fought affair where, not for the first time, the opposition had the vast majority of the possession and field position but couldn't overcome a spirited side that made best use of what little ball they did get their hands on.

Joe Nattrass, Steve Wood, Rob Dawson and Mike Hawley scored the Penrith tries with Wood landing two conversions. With three league games left all is to play for, starting with the trip to Rochdale this Saturday.

In North One East Carlisle managed to win a tense encounter 25-24 at Warwick Road against Pontefract and as a result they jumped several places in the league, after those above them all lost.

Pontefract

Taking the game for granted will be a serious mistake, but having dealt with them comfortably earlier in the season, Carlisle will be quietly confident of a result.

The week after they have to travel to Sandal who are vying with Billingham for the automatic promotion slot; and then end the season by entertaining Driffield and Gateshead.

Lee Brumpton, Olly Barker and Lee Tinnion scored the Carlisle tries with Glen Weightman converting two and adding two penalties.

There was another frustrating performance from Aspatria in North One West as they went down 25-15 at Bower Park against Tyldesley but with a little more composure at crucial times this defeat could easily turned into victory. The Black Reds are already condemned to relegation and will be playing North Lancs Cumbria rugby next season.

The home side won ample possession in a scrappy encounter but how to use this effectively eluded them.

Ken Bowes and Heinie Jonker scored the Aspatria tries with Steven Stoddart converting one and adding a drop goal.

Aspatria stay bottom and tomorrow have a tough home encounter against fifth-places Broughton Park.

Matches in the Cumbria League tomorrow include Aspatria Eagles v Cockermouth, Millom v Creighton and Wigton Wanderers v Workington Steelers.

First published at 14:14, Friday, 02 April 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk