Cockermouth 5-Kirkby Lonsdale 15.

KIRKBY found the best conditions they have experienced at Cockermouth for this Powergen Inter-mediate Cup tie, though the pitch itself was rather hard.

Cockermouth applied early pressure until a failed touch kick allowed the Cockermouth winger to slip past an over-eager chaser and take play into the left-hand corner where they scored.

From long range, the conversion kick unluckily hit the posts and bounced out.

Kirkby began to look more dangerous and Aran Crowe put over a penalty.

Kirkby tried to put together some passing moves but slow ball and heavy tackling by Cockermouth denied them.

Eventually, they opened up play and Crowe escaped on a fine diagonal run to touch down just before he hit the sideline.

A difficult conversion attempt failed but Kirkby were on top and with their superior scrummaging it looked as if they might go on and control the match.

One more scoring chance came before half time but Kirkby missed a penalty and they turned round 8-5 ahead.

At the start of the second half Kirkby again came under pressure, compounded by being over-adventurous trying to run the ball out, but Barton cleared the danger.

Back on the attack, Kirkby lost Whittaker with a damaged shoulder and there was difficultly in getting the backs moving, with one or two floated passes giving the visiting supporters pal-pitations.

Kirkby won a kickable penalty but a miscued attempt landed nearer the corner-flag than the posts.

When the surprised defender knocked on, a pushover try looked a possibility, but the referee reversed his original decision for some reason and Cockermouth escaped.

More urgency came into Kirkby's game and good runs by Hurst, Atkinson and Squires opened up play until the long-threatened try arrived.

The Kirkby centres created a gap for Squires, arriving at pace, and he broke through to score by the posts, Crowe converting to seal the verdict.

It was a hard-fought contest but all credit was due to Kirkby for their committed tackling.

n Kirkby Wanderers were disappointed to learn Asaptria Seconds are not honouring away games this season, but fixed up a fixture with a Wharrfedale XV who proved a little too well organised.

n Kirkby U11s fought back from a 28-0 deficit on their seasonal bow at home against North Ribblesdale.

After conceding four converted tries, Kirkby replied with tries from Andrew Abrahams and Sam Stuart before losing 35-14.