After losing the Year Sevens final St. Benedict’s gained their revenge over Dowdales in the Year Eight showdown for the Carnegie Regional Champions Cup.

They went on to win 24-8 with the team celebrating alongside.

The game started at break neck speed and referee Rob McAloon let the game flow which helped the youngsters involved.

Following ten minutes of bruising defences, in which Dowdales’ Bradley Charnley and St Benedict’s Nathan Burns stood out, it was the west Cumbrians who broke the deadlock.

Centre Dean Henderson was first off the mark showing great pace to beat the cover defence and squeeze in at the corner.  

It was a further eight minutes of solid defensive displays until Dominic Wear managed to extend the St Benedict’s lead when he broke down the flank. He was able to evade the full-back with some smart footwork to get close enough for Henderson to add the conversion. 

Defences were again on top to close out the first half with a 10-0 advantage to St Benedict’s. 

The opening ten minutes of the second half produced some uncharacteristic loose defence from Dowdales as St Benedicts crossed twice to put the game out of  reach. 

Wear added his second of the evening, again showing good footwork and balance to break the defensive line and cross for a try that he converted. 

Bradley White crossed shortly after with a rampaging run through the heart of his opponents defence, then rounding the fullback to cross too wide for the conversion to be successful.

Dowdales showed great character to bounce back.  Some crunching defence from Harry Nevinson and Ryan Clegg dislodged the ball deep in St Benedict’s territory. 

From this position loose forward Daniel Eccles had the guile to pick up from the scrum base and wrong foot the blind side defence in a mazy run to the try line. 

Not to be outdone St Benedict’s loose forward Jake Moore showed similar prowess to expose the blind side defence and squeeze in at the corner. The last try went to Dowdales Tom Tranter who had worked tirelessly all evening and got his just rewards.

The after match presentations were conducted by Regional Development Manager Alan Davidson and Barrow’s ex Whitehaven and Workington player Brett McDermott, with St Benedict’s stand off Dominic Wear being awarded the Carnegie Player of the Match.

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