Orrell St James hold on for NCRL's Cross Conference Play-Offs victory against spirited Hensingham

There was plenty at stake when Orrell St James welcomed Hensingham in the final round of the NCRL's Cross Conference Championship fixtures, with both sides carrying strong credentials into a contest that ultimately lived up to expectations.

Orrell have enjoyed a stellar first season since joining the NCRL after years of dominance in the North West Men's League.

The Wigan outfit topped their division with 13 wins and a draw from 16 matches, scoring more than 500 points while conceding just 156. Finishing above the likes of Ince Rose Bridge, Saddleworth Rangers and Blackbrook underlined their quality, while their reputation now stretches well beyond the borough.

Hensingham arrived as arguably Cumbria's strongest hope in the competition. Runners-up behind Dalton in the Cumbrian Conference, they finished ahead of fellow former NCL clubs Distington, Barrow Island, Millom and Ellenborough Rangers, suggesting they were well equipped for the challenge.

The visitors quickly showed they had no intention of being overawed.

There was tenacity across the park, brave cover defence and controlled aggression as they matched their hosts in every department. Orrell created the first opening when Brad Calland broke the line in the seventh minute before being hauled down inside the twenty.

Four minutes later the breakthrough arrived. A sweeping move down the left edge ended with Lewis Round receiving the final pass and diving in at the corner. Calland was unable to add the conversion, leaving Orrell 4-0 ahead.

Hensingham's response was immediate. Intelligent kicking and an excellent chase forced a mistake from Orrell fullback Jack Gallagher, gifting the visitors field position. Even then there appeared little danger until Dylan Bragg, the NCRL's leading points scorer with 217, spotted the slightest gap and darted through. He converted his own try to put Hensingham 6-4 in front in the 17th minute.

The remainder of the first half belonged largely to the visitors.

Tempers briefly flared after 28 minutes and Orrell mounted some promising attacks, only to be denied by committed Hensingham defence. Much of the final ten minutes was played deep inside the Orrell half as the visitors repeatedly forced errors and built pressure.

Former Whitehaven and Workington prop Jordan Thompson led from the front, well supported by Jordan Pitt and Ben Harrison, while the kicking game of Bragg and fellow half-back Noel Branthwaite continually turned the screw.

How Hensingham failed to extend their lead remains something of a mystery.

Orrell's goal-line defence was outstanding, repeatedly scrambling to extinguish danger and keeping the deficit to just two points as the sides went into half-time at 6-4.

The hosts found a different rhythm after the break.

Veteran half-back Danny Pyke entered the game at the start of the second half and immediately helped Orrell regain territorial control with a smart kicking display. One such kick proved decisive after 49 minutes when the otherwise reliable Preston Meloy slipped and then fumbled. Callum Taylor reacted quickest, gathering possession and forcing his way over. Joe Charnock converted to edge Orrell back in front at 10-6.

From that point chances came at a premium as both packs dug deep. Sam Lewis produced a mountain of defensive work for the hosts, while front-row trio John Hutchings, Harry Mosley and Ben Tordoff were outstanding through the middle.

The decisive moment arrived in the 67th minute. After sustained pressure from the home side, Taylor crossed for his second try at the side of the posts. Charnock again added the extras and Orrell suddenly had breathing space at 16-6.

Hensingham, however, refused to go quietly.

Their spirit and determination earned one final opportunity with three minutes remaining. Once again there appeared little on when Bragg nudged the ball ahead, but the half-back chased relentlessly, received a kind bounce and touched down for his second try of the afternoon. He converted to reduce the deficit to 16-12 and set up a nervy finish.

The visitors threw everything at Orrell in the closing moments, but the hosts scrambled superbly and held on to secure their third Cross Conference victory.

For Hensingham, the narrow defeat was compounded by the news that Fryston had won elsewhere, bringing their season to an end. For Orrell, meanwhile, another hard-earned victory reinforced why they remain one of the leading community sides in the country.

Full-time: Orrell St James 16 Hensingham 12

By Dave Parkinson

Photo Credit: 13 Pro Am RL