Last updated 19:28, Thursday, 30 October 2008

THE weather had a disastrous effect on the John Smiths Cumberland League programme over the weekend with only two matches kicking off.

TRY: Phil Hewitt, who scored a try for Broughton Red Rose against Kells

Kells took advantage of playing their match with Broughton Red Rose on Friday night and produced an 11-try romp to win the clash.

Played at Derwent Park under floodlights, Kells piled the pressure on their hosts and Red Rose cracked to go down 54-16.

Kells were 12-0 up after 16 minutes after running in three early tries. Paul Cullnean opened the scoring on five minutes and he was followed over the whitewash by Ben Ferguson shortly after.

Then, on 16 minutes, Scott Lofthouse surged over for the first of his hat-trick.

Broughton then hit back to narrow the deficit courtesy of a try from hooker Phil Hewitt, converted by Mark Walker.

But the respite was short lived as Kells managed to make it 34-6 by half time.

Sean Flanagan scorched over on 24 minutes and he was followed by Ryan McGuinness.

Carl Sice, back on familiar territory after his time at Workington Town, bagged two tries in a five-minute spell while playing at full-back and Tony Burns converted three to make it one sided at the break.

Broughton stand-off Dale Semple gave them some hope with the first try of the second half, 10 minutes into the action, and Walker again converted.

But once more Kells had the answer and just minutes later loose forward Burns crossed for a try and converted himself.

Lofthouse then bagged his second with 20 minutes to go, before Carl Schofield opened his account with his side’s 10th touchdown of the game.

A hat-trick try for Lofthouse was a fitting way to end Kells’ fine showing and Burns tagged on the two pointer.

Broughton did have the final word with a last-minute try from Bryan Park but it was too little too late.

On this showing, Kells will be the team to beat in the first division and are on a serious hunt for Ellenborough’s title.

The only game to go ahead on Saturday was in the second division where Flimby played host to league leaders Lowca.

Lowca showed they mean business in the fight to earn promotion and in appalling conditions secured an 18-0 win.

A Dean Morgan try for Lowca was the only score in the first half to give the visitors an early edge.

Then Carl Ennis, Lee Morgan and Stephen Crosby all ran in second-half tries to seal the deal, with Crosby also converting his own touchdown.

All other clashes in both divisions were rained off.

Fixtures – John Smiths Cumberland League division one: Distington v Ellenborough, Glasson v Maryport.

Division two: Frizington v Lowca A, Gt Clifton v Salterbeck A, Maryport A v Egremont, Seaton A v Kells A.

E Lamb & Son Amateur Cup round one: Broughton RR v Seaton, Salterbeck v Hensingham, Kells v Wath Brow.