On a bitter cold afternoon in west Cumbria Egremont Rangers took on a Wigan St Judes team looking to cause a cup upset in the first round of the Ladbrokes Challenge cup. However it did not take the favourites Egremont to take the lead in the contest when on 5 minutes prop forward Richard Farrer bashed his way over the line for the games first try, 4-0 to Egremont. The resulting conversion was swiftly converted by new signing Ross Brookes slotted it over 6-0 to the hosts.
The game could of went either way at this point with such an early try but credit to St Judes they dug deep and were forcing Egremont to make errors as the St Judes defence stood strong this was until the 25th minute when the defence was breeched for a second time this time it was a bit of fortune in the way of Egremont when half back Lewis Beckwith’s kick took a ricochet off the St Judes defender, Hooker Daniel Telford picked it up and dashed over from 5 meters out to push the score out to 10-0. Ross Brookes once again stepped up to the plate and the conversion was successful 12-0 to Egremont.
St Judes Dug deep once again and were still pushing Egremont all the way until the 34th minute when the game was stretched even further when loose forward Matthew Henson picked up from acting half to scoot over from short range next to the sticks 16-0 to the Rangers. The kick once again was successful 18-0. The game went back to it’s too and throw ways until half time. Half time score Egremont 18-0 to the good.
The second half couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start for the visitors when from the kick off the ball was dropped gifting Egremont the ball 10 meters out from the line. This would eventually play a crucial part when after a sweeping cross field play second rower Ben Walker crossed for his first of the game putting the score out to 22-0 to the hosts making a comeback ever less likely as the game went on. The kick was unsuccessful so the tie stayed at 22-0.
The game then entered into the arm wrestle stage once again with both teams still battling away. Then on the 61st minute the play of the game put the final nail in the St Judes coffin when a lovely pass by stand off James McDonald on his comeback game after a long spell away with injury put a pass into the path of the charging Ben Walker who glided through the gap to cross untouched to put the game out of sight and Egremont into the next round of the prestigious cup. The resulting conversion slotted over by Ross Brookes, 28-0 to the Rangers.
Yet again the game went into some what a lull for the final 19 minutes, with Egremont determined to keep St Judes Scoreless. Final Score 28-0 to Egremont.
Try Scorers
Egremont
Richard Farrer
Daniel Telford
Matthew Henson
Ben Walker x2

Conversions
Ross Brookes 4/5