Egremont cup victory

After last weeks defeat Egremont players and coaching staff needed to re-group and concentrate their efforts on the first round of the Challenge cup competition. The squad are suffering in the terms of injuries with the likes of JP Brocklebank, Ali Leak, Jonny Goulding, Peter Murphy, Rhys Davies and Mally Caton sided lined the task ahead was a testimony to the depth of squad player quality .
In came Anthony Leak, Dan Graham and Tony Hetherington they were further strengthened by the return of the experienced Ben Walker and Paul Corkhill, with Mr Brocklebank sticking to his policy of introducing another young star of the future in the shape of Pat Wells.
The game thundered to an exciting start when in form James ‘Bull’ McDonald jinked through the Waterhead defence to score after some good ball handling, James also added the two, six up after 4.30 mins. But Waterhead struck back within seven minutes with an equalizing try and kick. The following ten minutes developed into forward battle with young Brad Hailes, Dan Graham and Pat Wells leading the charge backed up by Bewsher brothers. Just when the vocal Waterhead coach thought he had matters in hand, Brocky released Callum ‘the big lad’ Rowlandson and returning Richard Farrer. Several train crashes later found Egremont parked on the Waterhead line, with Dan Telford scoring a typical hookers try to push Rangers ahead, Bull added the conversion. The impressive young loose forward Pat Wells followed his coach’s advice to the letter and on thirty four minutes his consistent charges forward were rewarded when Paul Corkhill got his first of the season. A battle royal followed when the Waterhead players took matters into their own hands, it ended with one red card for Waterhead and a yellow for Egremont, not a backward step taken. Bull then calmly added the conversion. 6-18. The forwards continued to hurt their defensive line and the wrecking ball Rowlandson crashed over to put the score to 22. Before Waterhead could gather their thoughts Peter Bewsher tore through their centre line with a fifty yard effort, he deftly moved the ball inside for Anthony Leak to finish off a classy try, Bull again converted. 6-28. With half time fast approaching Waterhead’s number 7 pushed a neat kick behind the Rangers defence which their number 9 finished off, conversion added the half time whistle brought the first half to a end. 12-28.
Egremont began the second half as they had left off with some expansive half back play with Bull throwing a long ball for centre Ben Walker to carve through the created gap to score. Further points came when a gap created by an impressive break from Matt Bewsher who off loaded to prop Dan Graham who shifted the ball to Bull who finished off the move, Matt made the conversion. 12-32. The game should at this stage been dead and buried but to Waterheads credit they pushed on to score a further 12 points after some lazy defensive work. 24-38. Then on 73 minutes international centre Leon Crellin broke free up the right side with a forty yard effort, he drew the Waterhead defender and off loaded to Jack Stainton to score. Rangers finished off with another brilliant try from Richard Farrer after the Big lad had flattened several very brave Waterhead defenders. Matt Bewsher finished off the days work with two points. Final score 24-48.
The next round of the journey will see Rangers take on local rivals Kells on the 1st June, they knocked out high fliers Siddal.
Well done Guys