Egremont blew a great chance of their second win of the season in the National Conference Premier Division.

In an exciting west Cumbrian derby at Kells, they squandered a 22-6 half-time lead and were eventually pipped 23-22 with a drop goal three minutes from the end.

That represented a fine second-half revival by Kells, clearly responding to a half-time verbal blast from coach Peter Smith.

Egremont had opened the scoring with a penalty from scrum-half James McDonald but, when Kells hit back to lead 6-2, it looked as though they would take charge.

Centre Lewis Smith crossed for home try, converted by Ross Gainford.

But Egremont looked far better than their league position indicated as they stormed back to lead comfortably by the interval.

There were tries for loose-forward Marcus O’Brien, hooker Matty Henson and McDonald. With four goals from McDonald, it looked as though the visitors had put enough distance between themselves and their hosts.

It was an indication of Kells mindset when they scored four minutes after the restart with a try from Johnny Scott.

But it did take them to the 69th minute to get level as tries from winger Dan Joyce and Scott, converted by Gainford had Egremont in trouble.

Three minutes from time, the Kells fight-back was complete when Gainford landed the winning drop goal.

In the area’s other Premier Division game, it was even closer as Wath Brow Hornets needed two tries in the last five minutes to draw 18-18 with Rochdale Mayfield.

With a number of experienced ex-professionals Mayfield are a competitive side, and although out-scored four tries to three, deserved their point after a pulsating contest.

They had started the better side and were quickly on the front foot, scoring after only four minutes with a try from centre Lewis Butterworth.

It was the same player who doubled the lead when he scored his second try after 21 minutes.

Chris Hough, who was to emerge as Mayfield’s best player, added the conversion and generally was a thorn in Hornets’ side throughout the game.

But Wath Brow had their own star in loose forward Chariie Tomlinson who really ran with purpose.

With the Hornets hitting their stride, they scored tries through wingers Curtis Teare and Jake Pearce, one of which was converted by Cole Walker-Taylor.

All square then at the break, Wath Brow seemed to have the impetus to start pulling away but, in the end, they were left scrambling to get level again.

Loose forward Paul Brearley crashed over and Hough converted to give Rochdale a 16-10 lead. That was extended by a Hough penalty.

But, in a big finish, Wath Brow earned a point and had been left with a conversion to win the game, but it sailed wide.

Centre Jake Moore went in on 75 minutes and, with the final whistle only seconds away, second rower Jamie Devine plunged over for the equalising try.