Cockermouth beat Whitehaven 28-22 to win the Year Ten final in the series of Carnegie Regional Championships.

The winning team celebrate alongside after receiving the silverware.

Cockermouth were first off the mark with eight minutes on the clock, as following a sustained period of pressure the Whitehaven defence was breached. Connor Bannard jinked over from close range. 

The next score came just three minutes later as Cockermouth drove up field thanks to good work form Jack Gaskell and Sam Rossi.  Matty Henson split the markers and crossed out wide. 

Whitehaven got themselves back in the game and built some pressure, as their half backs Ben Milburn and Andrew Middleton worked the ball wide. But Ed Gate intercepted and went 90 metres for Cockermouth’s third score.

Whitehaven replied straight from the kick off and solid defence won the ball back for Connor Holiday to crash in from close range after a neat reverse pass.

Cockermouth responded just as quickly, scoring two minutes later when Rossi made the most of the overlap created by his half backs.  Henson added the extra points for a half time score of 18-6 in favour of Cockermouth.

The second half started much like the first and the dominant defences of both sides could only be broken following a great break from Jack Clarke who found Ashley Friel in support to go over untouched.  Henson again added the extras.

 Whitehaven were quick to respond and following good work from the forwards Holliday added his second, close range try, beating the markers and having too much power to be stopped.  Milburn converted from wide out. 

The next five minutes were end to end action and Cockermouth seized the opportunity to extend their lead. 

A well placed cross field kick from Henson saw speedster Sam Patten beat the defence to secure the touchdown.

Cockermouth were now leading 28-12 with 20 minutes to go but Whitehaven seemed unfazed by the task ahead of them and laid siege to the Cockermouth line. 

Millburn, Holliday and Scott all went close and it was finally Millburn that broke the line and out paced the cover to go in and peg the score back to 28-16. 

Scott then added a try, following up a well placed bomb from Milburn to cross the line, taking a couple of defenders over with him.  Milburn’s goal brought the score to 28-22. 

The last ten minutes of the game were spent with Cockermouth defending manfully and centres Gaskell and Rossi making great yards up field to resist all the pressure they were put under. 

Whitehaven made a couple of chances but failed to capitalise and the scores remained at 28-22 for Cockermouth to claim victory.

The after match presentations were conducted by Regional Development Manager Alan Davidson with Cockermouth centre Jack Gaskell being awarded the Carnegie Player of the Match.

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