Last updated 19:50, Thursday, 25 September 2008

WEST Cumbria’s new U18 side maintained their unbeaten start to the Gillette National Youth League campaign with a 30-16 win at Ince Rose Bridge.

The game was scoreless for 25 minutes, and the visitors led 8-0 at the break, before extending their advantage to 30-0 in the second-half.

Three tries in the final 10 minutes added a little respectability to the score for Rose Bridge.

U18 manager Alan Davidson said: “Obviously it’s going to be a highly-competitive league, but the lads have made a good start, and hopefully it will continue. It’s promising.”

West Cumbria’s tries came from Karl Olstrum (2), Jon Ritson, Mark Watson, Jamie Martin and Ben Agnew.

Man-of-the-match Nicky Burgess slotted over three goals.

The Recreation Ground, Whitehaven, hosts West Cumbria’s next game against Siddal on October 5.

An U18 regional festival involving Copeland, Allerdale, Barrow and the North-East will be held at Whitehaven’s Cumbria Sports Academy on Sunday from noon.

Teams are competing for a place in the North U18 squad to play at Hopwood Hall on Saturday, October 18.