Hensingham are the new champions of the Cumbria Men’s League.

Rather aptly they beat the defending champions Distington 16-6 in midweek to clinch their first title.

A good, physical game saw Hensingham step-up in the second half after they had been held 6-6 up to half-time.

The Hensingham defence was outstanding and was the platform on which they built this success and the season’s achievements.

They have now gone 13 games in the league undefeated and have only Walney left to play at home tomorrow, where they will be aiming to go unbeaten through the league season.

The Hensingham tries were scored by Chris Smith (2) and Liam Campbell with Marc Bainbridge landing two goals.

Distington’s first-half try was scored by their top-scorer Gavin Martin, while Clayton Sutton added a penalty goal.

In the Cumberland ARL Cup in midweek, Lowca just edged home against Broughton Red Rose 16-14. They will now play at home to Cockermouth tomorrow in the semi-final.

Marc Johnston, Robbie Fisher and Declan McKenna scored tries for Lowca with two goals by Callum Sirkett.

Meanwhile, we are fast-approaching finals month as far as local amateur rugby league is concerned.

During September all the finals for the 2017 season will be played, starting with the Cumbria Men’s League top four semi-finals.

The league leaders at the end of the regular season will play the team finishing fourth while the runners-up host the team in third place.

Both games will be played on Saturday, September 2 as will be the top four semi-finals in the Iggesund Cumberland ARL, which also has the same fixture formula.

On Friday, September 8, the final of the Cumberland ARL Cup final will be staged on a ground to be announced once the finalist are known.

The following day (September 9), Whitehaven’s Recreation Ground will stage the BARLA Cumbria Cup final between Hensingham and Walney Central.

Friday, September 15 is Grand Final (previously known as the top-four final) time for the Iggesund Cumberland ARL and the following day (Saturday, September 16) is the Men’s League Grand Final.

A week later, Saturday, September 23, sees the Cumberland Cup final taking place at Lowca between Distington and Seaton. It all ends on Saturday, September 30 with the Amateur Cup final at Seaton between Elbra and Distington.

This Saturday is dominated by the two Cumberland ARL Cup semi-finals: Kells v Aspatria and Lowca v Cockermouth.