KRISTIAN Tyson was the star of the show as Askam retained the Barton Townley Cup with a comprehensive 58-10 victory over Barrow Island at Craven Park this evening.

The half-back ran in five of the Villagers' 10 tries and kicked nine conversion for a 38-point haul to help the National Conference League Division Two outfit triumph.

Island were not without their opportunities in their first Barton Townley Cup final appearance for seven years, but could not keep tabs as Askam started to pull away after the break.

It was the Villagers who had the best of the opening exchanges and after two promising attacks had been killed by handling errors, they took the lead in the 12th minute when Dan Sayle broke clear and set up Tom Askew for the opening try which was converted by Tyson.

Askam were in again three minutes later when Sam Dowsett flicked a pass out for Tom Hopkins to barge his way through for a try and Tyson was on hand to add the extras once more.

A knock-on by Askam full-back Russ Bolton from a high, steepling kick by Ian Irvine gave Island excellent field position to attack from though and they duly took advantage on 25 minutes when Jamie Curtis forced his way over despite the best efforts of the defence, although Blaine Marwood could not convert.

Three minutes later, a lightning attack from Island tore the opposition defence apart, yet Jake Stockdale was unable to take the final pass just metres from the try-line.

And Askam extended their advantage five minutes before half time when hooker Dowsett was held up over the line, only for Tyson to side set his way over from 10m out on the next play. Conversion was missed 16-4 at half time.

The Division Two side took just five minutes after the restart to surge further in front when Askew picked up a loose ball from a knock-on on his own 20 metres and raced clear, setting up support runner Tyson for his second converted score

A clever chip-and-chase from Dowsett was a precursor to some exhibition stuff from Askam on 48 minutes, with the hooker passing to Ben Lewney, who in turn flicked the ball back inside for Jake Spedding to score, followed by Tyson kicking the extras.

Island rallied briefly after this, but Ryan Clegg had a try ruled out when play was brought back following a knock-on and then Danny Wright was held up over the line on the last tackle.

Then on 55 minutes, Tyson finished off a counter-attack with his third converted try of the evening after Tom Wilkinson had charged up field, with further converted scores from Hopkins and Sayle taking Askam closer to victory.

Island did at least have the consolation of second try 10 minutes from time through Ali McKewan, converted by Matty Parkinson, but two more Tyson in the closing stages took Askam past the half-century mark and put the seal on the win.

The MOM award was awarded to Kristian Tyson with an excellent performance well backed by Tom Wilkinson, Sam Dowsett, Tom Hopkins and a good all round team performance.

Askam: Russ Bolton; Tom Askew, Daniel Sayle, Tom Butler, Jack Cairns; Kristian Tyson, Joe Satterthwaite; Tom Hopkins, Sam Dowsett, Jamie Butler, Marc Dixon, Jake Spedding, Tom Wilkinson. Interchange: Dale Lambton, Garry Bolton, Liam Saunders, Ben Lewney.

Barrow Island: Jake Stockdale; Tez Nueto, Spencer Hoyland, Sam Jones, John Walsh; Blaine Marwood, Ian Irvine; Carl McBain, Jamie Curtis, Matty Parkinson, Scott Hadwin, Ryan Cleese, Joss Banham. Interchange: Ali McKewan, Joe Mallinson, Matty Sayle, Danny Wright.

Referee: Curtley Etchells.