JWright

Last updated 00:00, Thursday, 10 January 2008

A DOUBLE strike from Adam McGlasson edged Seaton Rangers through this tense tie against West Leeds in the first round of the Ace Insurance Barla National Cup.

West, of the Pennine League’s fifth division, may be unbeaten in league football this season but a victory for the visitors should have been unthinkable against the reigning John Smith’s Cumberland League champions.

In the event, Rangers narrowly escaped becoming the fall guys in what would have been a great upset.

The visitors led 4-2 at the interval, having restricted Seaton to a Duncan Moyle penalty, and it took a more focused effort in the second period for the home side to secure an 18-12 win.

Rangers, who will visit Warrington side Crosfields - currently battling to avoid finishing in the bottom two in the National Conference League - on January 19, prevailed through two tries for Adam McGlasson with Nicky Williamson also crossing the whitewash and Moyle adding a couple of conversions.

Maryport, meanwhile, were unable to sustain a bright start at Halifax’s Ovenden, of the National Conference League’s division two, despite a magnificent display by second row Mark Foster, and returned to Cumbria reflecting on a 52-8 defeat.

Centre Lee Ferguson put his side ahead in only the second minute with a well-worked try, and although Ovenden hit back with three touchdowns Maryport were still in contention midway through the first half when scrum half Alan Telford bustled over, reducing the deficit to eight points.

The Yorkshiremen, however, eased to a 36-8 interval lead with four more tries and went on to bust the half century barriers with three unanswered touchdowns in the second period.

In other second round ties on January 19 Ellenborough host Hunslet Old Boys, Distington travel to Rochdale Mayfield and Glasson Rangers go to Stanningley.

In league action on Saturday Ellenborough followed up their victory in the Halbro County Cup final with a 24-10 win over Distington.

Elbra, who have moved from third to second as a result of the victory while Distington dropped from fourth to sixth, owed their success to a strong first half display, in testing conditions, in which a 10-0 lead was established.

Rangers closed with two tries by David Sewell, touchdowns for David Whitworth, Jamie Watson and Kyle Lofthouse, and a couple of conversions by Stephen Stoddart. Distington's response involved tries by Daniel Dryden and Sean Adams, one of which Gavin Maskill improved.

It was more free-flowing at Broughton Red Rose, where Paul Osbourne scored four tries in the 58-0 crushing of Great Clifton. Matthew Jackson and Ryan Moore scored two tries apiece, Jackson adding a goal, and Stuart Moore, Richard Harrington and Matthew Woodcock crossed the whitewash. Mark Walker landed six goals.

Lowca, hovering in mid-table in division two, startled leaders Wigton with a 16-12 away win. Graham Lowry, Lee Allan and Paul Lancaster crossed in the first half, Paul Colley adding two goals to help establish a 16-6 interval lead.

It was enough to thwart the favourites, who were limited to a Graham Paterson try and an Andrew Logue goal in the second half after having posted a try and conversion by Logue in the opening period.

Frizington, in second spot, were denied at Egremont, who forced a 24-24 draw with a late try by Richard Earl. John Paul Brocklebank scored two tries and two goals for Rangers, Stephen Long and Kevin Brown touched down, and Andrew Milton kicked a goal. Frizington, meanwhile, recorded a try and two goals by Wayne Burns. Other touchdowns went to Graham Gilpin, Gary Palmer, Gary Brown and Craig Tyson.

Andrew Pearson scored a try and two goals in Flimby's 16-8 victory over Kells A, and Ben Harrison and Luke Grima nipped over. Scott Nichol and Liam McNally touched down for Kells.

Division one: Kells v Seaton.

Division two: Seaton A v Maryport A, Salterbeck v Flimby, Wigton v Egremont.

SJR Building Constractors Cumberland Cup round one: Cockermouth v Frizington, Great Clifton v Wath Brow Hornets, Maryport v Distington, Hensingham v Broughton Red Rose, Glasson v Lowca.