Hot favourites Distington did not have it all their own way before they lifted the Cumberland Cup.

A young, enthusiastic Kells A team led 12-8 at half-time before all-conquering Distington came roaring back to win 26-12.

On a very windy night at the Copeland Stadium, both sides played their part in serving-up a thrilling contest, with plenty of hard tackling and really fast breaks.

Kells A couldn’t have asked for a better start with a try on two minutes from Scott Nichol, which Ryan Doran converted.

By the 12th minute, Distington had edged in front with two unconverted tries from Liam Friel and Gavin Martin.

Back came Kells A and, on 22 minutes, Kieran Halcrow went over for their second try, again converted by Doran.

Within two minutes of the restart, Distington had grabbed the lead with a try from Phil Lister, which Clayton Sutton converted.

Gradually, with the wind in their favour, Distington turned the screw and on 56 minutes gave themselves more of a cushion when Sutton went over and added the conversion.

It stayed 20-12 until eight minutes from the end when Sutton finally ended the Kells A resistance with his second try, which he again converted.

Distington’s Aidan Worthington took the nomination as man-of-the-match.

The Cumbria Men’s league looks to be in danger of petering out because of so many postponed matches.

Only one team, Ulverston, has completed the 20-match programme and the top four semi-finals are being staged this weekend.

Maryport, currently fourth, are not going to play their last three games, while the final top four place will be taken by either Ellenborough (6th) or Glasson (8th).

On Saturday, Walney Central didn’t travel to Seaton Rangers and the only game played saw Ulverston the first to reach the end of their scheduled fixtures with a 28-24 win over Wath Brow A.

Ulverston’s five to four-try ratio was reflected in the final points gap with Steve O’Connor, Howard Lowery, Michael Rooke, Matthew Storey and Rowan Shields touching down for the hosts. Conner Saunders landed four conversions.

For Wath Brow A, there were tries for Bradley White (2), Jason Connery and Aidan Dawson. Connery (3) and Ellis Curnow kicked the goals.