Bowling boys push Kells all the way in Challenge Cup battle

A crowd of more than 300 fans savoured a classic old-fashioned encounter in which both sets of defences were in top form.

The National Conference Premier visitors threw the ball about in great style in a lively opening but Bowling’s well organised blanket rearguard was up to the task and snuffed out any chances.

Kells resorted to a variety of raking kicks in an attempt to prise out the first score. They nearly succeeded when substitute Bradley Smith was held up over the line only to be thwarted by a fine tackle from home wingman Jake Green.

A crunching tackle from loose forward Olly Bartle stopped a further threat dead in its tracks but a brace of penalties on the trot gave the Cumbrians the chance to flash the ball wide leaving centre Scott Lofthouse to cross in the corner. West’s breathed a sigh of relief when the conversion hit the post and bounced to safety and they came within a whisker of levelling matters just five minutes later only to see centre Ellis Bentley held up over the line.

With the half-time whistle imminent, an unwelcome comment to the referee at a scrum gave the visitors a gift penalty which stand-off Ross Gainford slotted over to put Bowling into the sheds 6-0 down.

Kells started the second half as they did the first with a wave of potent attacks but Bowling weathered the storm to set up two chances for fullback Gareth Cullington and Bartle which both fell inches short of the target.

The game was on a knife edge which prompted Gainford to attempt a drop goal which skimmed under the uprights.

But he was bang on target shortly afterwards with a penalty when Green was judged to have used his shoulder in a crunching tackle on full back Lewis Smith.

Bowling’s valiant show finally came to a close when Kells further flattered the total by taking advantage of tired legs to spread the ball to the flanks to put wingman Reece O’Neill sprinting over at the flag.