A 14-12 win for Egremont against Carlisle Crusaders kept them top of the Cumbria League table, having completed all their games.

However, Workington still have two matches in hand as they seek to overhaul the Bleach Green side.

Ironically their home fixture with Carlisle Crusaders had been called off a week earlier as the city side couldn’t get a team.

Egremont made the trip to play Carlisle at Penrith for a match which tested the resolve of players and spectators alike.

The west Cumbrians travelled with an injury ravaged team but, on the plus side, this gave the club the opportunity of playing a back line which averaged just 20 years of age.

On an afternoon when the elements combined to produce rain, hail, sleet and snow as well as a bitterly cold wind, Egremont also found themselves up against a feisty Carlisle side who belied their bottom of the table position to push the league leaders all the way in a tense but scruffy encounter.

Egremont opened the scoring with a well-taken try from the elder statesman of the back line, wing Chris Wharton. Full back Callum Aitken then converted from wide out on the touchline and this proved to be a crucial score.

Carlisle hit back quickly with an unconverted try to make the score 7-5 and this is how the scoreline remained up until half time and beyond. 

As the game deteriorated into a scrappy and rather shapeless encounter the weather also degenerated, sending many of the spectators scurrying back to the shelter of the clubhouse.

Egremont were awarded a penalty try during a rare incursion into the Carlisle 22, following a powerful surge for the line by veteran hooker Jude Barton which was halted illegally. 

They managed to protect their 14-5 lead until the last movement of the match when Carlisle were awarded a penalty try of their own.

Workington still have to re-arrange their game with Carlisle Crusaders and also have a home match with Kendal A, needing five points to secure the title and promotion back to North Lancs Cumbria.

Keswick, who are likely to finish third, hammered Windermere 51-12 on Saturday while Cockermouth had an excellent 36-19 win at Kendal A.