Cumbria Cup Final    

Seaton Rangers 16    Kells  18

In a game that swung both ways throughout the afternoon Seaton and Kells battled in a Cumbrian classic encounter for the prestigious silverware.

It looked as though Kells were going to run away with it in the opening minutes, as Seaton took some time to warm up and get into the game and by then were 12-0 down.

Kells were on the ball from kick off and scored in just the second minute when centre Steve McGrady fed Ryan Groggins, who touched down just inside the corner flag.

Kells captain Tony Burns showed he had his kicking boots on when he slotted over the touchline conversion, which should have been a warning to Seaton over what was to come.

Shortly after they increased their lead when half-back Ross Gainford burrowed his way over near the posts, leaving Burns an easier conversion for 12-0.

Seaton still looked half asleep and were making too many basis errors, and gifting the ball to their opposition. Kells could have been out of sight before Seaton woke up.

But wake up they did and on 25 minutes they finally hit back when Paul Hopper got on to the end of a Richard George kick to touch down, with Brett Phillips converting.

Then, just before the break, Seaton struck an important blow, Ryan Blair going over the whitewash wide out but the conversion attempt was missed and Kells went in at the break two points ahead, 12-10.

The second half didnt start well for Kells, when they had centre Scott Lofthouse sin binned for a late tackle.

However, Seaton failed to capitalise on their extra man advantage and would be made to pay for it later in the game.

Kells appeared to have weathered the storm but, with seven minutes remaining, Seaton took the lead for the first time.

A high kick from Richard George was collected by Ryan Blair and he began to weave his way towards the line but was just halted by the Kells defenders.

However, he was able to slip the ball out to the supporting Callum Phillips who charged over near the posts, leaving brother Brett an easy conversion to go 16-12 in front.

Kells supporters could have been forgiven for thinking it was all over at this point – but nobody told Grant McLaughlin that.

With the game in its dying moments, deep into injury time, Richard Georges kick for deep was charged down and Kells gained possession for what would be the last set of six of the afternoon.

And they made it count. On the fourth tackle, McLaughlin headed towards the Seaton line, feigned to pass to the outside but stepped back on the inside and dummied the defenders.

It allowed him to cross the line in between the corner flag and the uprights and level the scores at 16-16.

Then up stepped Burns and slotted over the winning conversion to send the Kells supporters wild and break Seaton hearts.

The final whistle sounded as the ball sailed through the uprights to finish a cracking county cup final.

Sponsors man of the match went to Kells forward Paul Cullnean, but he was pushed close by his half-back pairing of Grant McLoughlin and Ross Gainford.

 Seatons top performers on the day were Ryan Blair and the tireless Stephen Hodgson for a superb 80 minute effort

Seaton:

Shaun Johnsen, Paul Rooke, Mark Routledge, Ryan Blair, Paul Hopper, Richard George, Craig Humphries, Brett Phillips, Callum Phillips, Andy McGlasson, Stephen Hodgson, Tom Curwen, Paul Bell. Subs: Paul Lowery, Duncan Moyle, Kevin Wilson, Lee Hunter.

Tries: Hopper, Blair, C Phillips.

Goals: B Phillips (2).

Kells:

 Greg Lofthouse, Ryan Groggins, Steve McGrady, Scott Lofthouse, Carl Schofield, Ross Gainford, Grant McLoughlin, David Lowrey, Kevin Agnew, Paul Cullnean, Shaun Flanagan, Barry Boyd, Tony Burns. Subs: Lewis Wilson, Daniel Joyce, Michael Ramsden, Ryan McGuinness.

Tries: Groggins, Gainford, McLaughlin.

Goals: Burns (3).

Half time: 10-12.

Penalties: 9-11.

Star Man: Paul Cullnean (Kells).