BARTON TOWNLEY CUP FINAL
Barrow Island 14
Ulverston 8
BARROW Island retained the Barton Townley Cup at Craven Park despite being down to 12 men from the 33rd minute, when Lee Edwards was dismissed for a head-high tackle on Adam Mills.
It was a first trophy for coach Paul Wilcock in his maiden season in charge. It was also his swansong as Island boss, as for personal reasons, he has called it a day at Rating Lane.
On yesterday’s hard-fought victory, Wilcock said: “It was close throughout and got a little heated at times, it was very physical. I thought both teams worked hard and Ulverston played above themselves. They worked hard in trying to slow us down.”
He added: “I am calling it a day and I go out as a champion.”
On the dismissal of Edwards, the Island boss added: “The referee had no option, he had to go.”
The game erupted in the 33rd minute after Ulverston’s Adam Mills and Edwards were involved in a stand-up fight following a tackle. Players from both sides joined in, before referee Bob Huitson restored order with no sin-bins on either side.
Ulverston were awarded a tap penalty and Mills drove over the halfway line, only to be met by Edwards, who went high around the head.
Players from both sides again traded blows, which led to Edwards being shown the red card.
Island were ahead 10-4 at the time, but in a closer second half both teams added four points apiece as Island held out for victory.
There was little between the two sides, with the first real threat of the game coming on ten minutes when Island’s Chris Reid took on the Ulverston defence before chipping to the corner only for defender Jamie Sandham to push the ball dead.
From the drop-out from under the posts Island moved the ball left to right, only for Matt Jefferson’s intended pass to Sam Jones to go into touch.
Lee Norman then broke clear on halfway but he was halted in his tracks by Chris Storey.
Island moved the ball sharply but when Reid chipped over the Ulverston defence the ball ran dead.
On 18 minutes Island went ahead. It was Reid once more who put the pressure on when he chipped ahead for full-back Tom White to knock-on yards from the line.
From the scrum Ian Irvine and Mike Wilson linked and the defence was split open by Matt Jefferson who touched down, Parkinson adding the conversion for 6-0.
And within minutes Jefferson was heading for the line, only to have his helmet ripped off by Tom Spedding, who was penalised.
However, from the tap Wilson and Irvine combined and Norman, linking up in attack, weaved through to touch down despite the attentions of four defenders. Parkinson was wide with his attempt at goal, 10-0.
Ulverston slowly came more into the game and a fine raid involving Andy Allen and Liam High ended with Dan Toal being held a foot short.
And from the play-the-ball Allen knocked-on as the chance went begging.
On the half hour High made a telling break on halfway, going thirty yards before Wilson produced a try-saving tackle.
From the play-the-ball Atkinson went wide and as he headed for the line had the ball ripped from his grasp, however Peter Holgate was first to respond and he touched down in the corner, Atkinson’s goal attempt missing the target 10-4.
The Edwards sending-off drama then followed, giving Ulverston the extra man and they moved swiftly upfield, only for Dinger Bell to be denied as he was held up over the line.
From the play-the-ball Atkinson kicked long and hard over the Island line, only for the ball to be pushed dead.
The game was held up for several minutes as Matt Jefferson was injured as the ball went dead, and he was then taken to hospital with an ankle injury.
Ulverston took the game to the Island in the second half with Mills making good ground, which resulted in Atkinson and Bell both going close. And seven minutes into the half Ulverston reduced the deficit.
Andy Allen chipped to the corner where Norman, who otherwise had an outstanding game, knocked-on. The ball ran loose and Sandham nipped in to touch down, Bell failing to convert from wide out, 10-8.
This lifted Ulverston as they raided through Andy Allen, Spedding and Storey, and on the last tackle Atkinson was only inches away from touching down.
Island survived, turning defence into attack with a fine run from Norman, but the evergreen Martin John was on hand to bring him down on halfway.
On the hour Island increased their lead following a tap penalty for holding down.
Wilson went for the line before providing Parkinson with a neat ball, and he crossed from close range.
Three minutes later a weaving run from Holgate took him to within a foot of the line as four defenders scrambled to bring him down. And when John set McGregor free, he was halted with a timely tackle from Joe Elliott.
Lee Haney then made good ground, covering 40 yards, as Island came away from their own line.
Elliott continued the good work, falling to a fine tackle by Bell and again Ulverston’s defence was spot-on as Norman looked destined to score by the posts.
John then tested the Island with a high ball, but Jones took the ball on the bounce to race 40 yards upfield.
Time was called as Ulverston were working hard on the Island line, desperately looking for points, but to no avail.
Island: Norman, Jones, Jefferson, L Haney, J Haney, Wilson, Irvine, Herdman, Reid, McBain, G Shaw, Haythorn, Parkinson. Subs: Elliott, Hoyland, Edwards, Williams.
Ulverston: White, Holgate, Storey, Atkinson, Sandham, A Allen, High, Mills, Reekes, P Allen, Bell, Spedding, Toal. Subs: McGregor, John, Smith, Houston.
Referee: Bob Huitson. Touch judges: Curtis Braithwaite and Julian Dixon.
Man of the Match (Bob Brady Trophy): Lee Norman.