Last updated 19:39, Thursday, 27 March 2008

NETHERHALL won the U23 County Shield played at Aspatria’s Bower Park last week.

The Maryport squad was made up of their younger first team players, with an average age of just 18.

They produced some outstanding, flowing rugby in their six games, in a competition which was restricted to ten-a-side.

Netherhall beat Wigton 7-0, Workington 10-0, Whitehaven 5-0, Upper Eden 10-0 and Furness 22-7.

Their only defeat was 10-7 to Penrith but they still edged the competition to lift the Shield. The key to the victory was their last minute try against Furness.

It was their fourth try of the game and that enabled them to collect a precious bonus point.

They therefore edged out Penrith 11 points to ten to win the competition as the Winters Park team had crucially lost a game with Wigton.

Tony Nicholson was the pick of the Maryport side, showing fine attacking and defensive qualities throughout while there were other notable contributions from Carl Bell, Simon Irving and captain Jonathan Burnyeat.