Kells finally have local bragging rights again following an outstanding second half display that saw them come from a 10-12 half-time deficit to collect a big home win over Egremont Rangers.
Egremont have held sway in this derby for a couple of years and came from behind to inflict one of Kells two league defeats this season, so there was plenty riding on this one for home fans.
It was a tough, uncompromising opening, marked with passion aplenty, and crunching tackles. Neither side produced a clear opening until the 17th minute when Joe Lewis used the slightest of footwork before grounding despite the attentions of a couple of defenders. The Australian is certainly making an impression in West Cumbria and added the goal for the 0-6 advantage. Kells were back level six minutes later, and after forcing a drop-out, they made it count when Ross Gainford spotted a gap and surged over to then land the first of six goals.
Egremont went back on the attack and finally converted a spell of pressure when a brilliant cut out pass from Lewis went 20 metres right and Tom Houghton grounded in the corner. Lewis judged the tricky breeze perfectly to convert and although Kells struggled to find meaningful possession at the other end, they did claim a try a couple of minutes from the break when James Ennis dabbed forward and just won the race ahead of visiting full back Jayden Tyson. Ennis pushed his conversion attempt wide but when the half-time whistle sounded it was 10-12.
The turnaround also brought a turn in fortune for the host's who now had the wind and the slope of the Welfare pitch in their favour. Three tries in the first fifteen minutes of the new half blew the game apart.
First, Gainford attracted two defenders before a short ball released Tyce Walmsley in space and the young loose forward ran around Tyson for a thirty-metre score after 44 minutes, then Lewis Smith cut in from the left to glide under the posts after 47 minutes, and when Kells won back-to-back sets from a penalty, they made it count with free-scoring Clarke Chambers bursting over from close range. All three goals were tacked on by Gainford and Kells were comfortable at 28-12.
It got better for the hosts' too as Egremont's challenge faded despite some good work from props Cain Waterman and Brad Long, hooker Jack Pae and substitute Ben Caine. A neat change of direction brought Walmsley a second try on 63 minutes and when the ball came right at pace, fullback Harley Nelson handed out to Jacob Hodgson who only had eyes for the line with ten minutes remaining.
Egremont claimed a 73rd minute consolation with a good try on the left, working space for wing Sam Williams to dive over, but fittingly Kells had the final word when Nelson was put away on the left before tipping on for Lewis Smith to claim a joyous second try and Gainford completed his 16-point haul.
The win keeps them a point clear of Dewsbury Celtic at the top of NCRL Division One with both sides having played 14 games.
By Dave Parkinson
Photo Credit: 13 Pro Am Community RL
