Cumbria Under-18s 45-7 Durham Under-18s: Cumbria Under-18s made it two wins from two with a seven try to one win over a strong Durham side at Preston Grasshoppers ground.

Wins for Cumbria at this age-group are rare, in fact no-one can remember a win.

So, we should be proud and celebrate the achievement of the boys so far as they won convincingly once again.

Cumbria started with great energy and physical intensity and built-up a 26-0 half-time lead from four tries and were unlucky that two tries were disallowed.

The work-rate in defence and a dominant scrum forced Durham back and into errors, a turnover led to several strong carries, second-row Luke Broster leading the way before fly-half Billy Thompsons’ long pass to winger Joe Connelly gave him a one-on-one, a chance he rarely wastes for try number one.

Connelly scored again soon after, another fine finish but as the conversion was being lined-up, the assistant referee called a knock-on in the build up.

After a fine kick and chase forced a line-out, No.8 Will Addyman broke right to feed scrum-half Paul Harrison who, with the defence holding off, ran strongly to score. Harrison converted well from the touchline for 12 -0 lead.

The third try came from more good work at the breakdown, centre Nathan Simpson getting a turnover, fellow centre Max Pearce spotting Connelly to his left one-on-one and, after beating his man on halfway, there was only one result.

The effort was converted well by Harrison.

After eight interchanges, “Team 2” kept up the intensity.

Vince Chan broke on halfway, showing fantastic pace for a hooker he was just stopped under the posts, a quick recycle and Thompson scored, he converted himself to make it 26-0.

Cumbria kept pouring forward and great continuity and many phases led to prop Joe Moore diving over but he was deemed held up.

Durham responded after half-time but came up against a passionate defence. Another Chan break with the backs handling well led to a scrum 10 metres out, Addyman ran hard as he did all game before scrum-half Hugh Burne broke blind and beat two defenders to score.

Durham had some rare possession and No.8 Ivey made a fine break and beat the last man to score to make it 31-7.

Cumbria again played well with ball in hand, rarely turned over as the support was always on hand.

From a scrum, Addyman made ground, then found hooker Archie Barber before Pearce passed wide, full-back Fraser Nicholson broke through, popping to Simpson who was tackled just short of the line before offloading to Jack Gascoyne to finish well, converted by Harrison.

Durham gained possession from the kick-off before a turnover gave prop Nathaniel Mossop a chance to show that dominating the scrum is not all he can do and a 30m break and well-timed pass gave Gascoyne the chance to run in for his second try from halfway, Harrison converted to finish the game at 45 -7.

It was a real squad effort with all players featuring for at least half a game. The coaching team for the day of Nigel Beaty, Graham Kidd and Matty Kaye were proud Cumbrians as the boys “outenthused” their opponents.

The referee gave Man-of-the-Match to No.8 Will Addyman, with the coaches selecting winger Joe Connelly.

County ties were awarded to 18 players by long-serving secretary Cumbria RU Jason Gregory.

The reward for their performances this season is a match against Lancashire who have beaten Yorkshire and Cheshire at Kingston Park, Newcastle Falcons ground on Sunday, January 13, 3.15pm KO.

Cumbria starting XV: 1 Bryn Jeremiah - Penrith RUFC, 2 Archie Barber - Kirkby Lonsdale RUFC/ Gosforth HS, 3 Nathaniel Mossop - Carlisle RUFC/Gosforth HS, 4 Luke Broster - Cockermouth RUFC/Tyne Met College, 5 Brad Langhorn - Kirkby Lonsdale RUFC/ QES, 6 Lewis Barwise - Carlisle RFC, 7 Adrigh Cole - Penrith RUFC/Newton Rigg, 8 Will Addyman - Keswick RUFC/Keswick School, 9 Paul Harrison - Austin Friars, 10 Billy Thompson - Egremont RUFC, 11 Joe Connelly - Penrith RUFC/Austin Friars 12 Max Pearce - Kirkby Lonsdale RUFC/Dallam, 13 Nathan Simpson - Kirkby Lonsdale/Myrescough College, 14 Harry Bibby - Cockermouth RUFC/Cockermouth School, 15 Fraser Nicholson - Penrith RUFC/QEGS

Interchanges: Joe Moore Egremont - RUFC/St Benedicts, Vince Chan -Penrith RUFC/UCC, Tom Maughan - Carlisle RFC/William - Howard School, Alex Ryder - Kendal RUFC/QKS, Michael Fry - Kirkby Lonsdale/Dallam, Hugh Burne - Penrith RUFC/UCC , Jack Gascoyne - Egremont RUFC/Keswick School, Jonathan Park - Carlisle RFC/Austin Friars