In ideal conditions for rugby league local rivals Whitehaven and St Benedict's put on a show worthy of any final.  With many players being team mates at local Community Clubs (Kells, Egremont, Wath Brow, and Hensingham) pride was at stake as well as the coveted Carnegie Region Champions Title.

The game started a break neck speed and Referee, Brian Armstrong, let the game flow openly as he controlled a high paced game.  Whitehaven got off the mark with just 2 minutes on the clock, following a crunching tackle to dislodge the ball from the Whitehaven pack.  The half backs spread the ball to centre Andrew Smith who from close range beat one defender and carried another over the line with him.  St Benedict's responded just as quickly scoring two minutes later, as Kirk Forster stepped into a hole from 15m out and had too much pace for the full back.  This evened things up at 4-4.

Following a midfield break from "Panda" St Benedict's got field position and an astute pass from Man of the Match Brad Smith saw Ashley Draper cross the line untouched.  A further spell on end to end action culminated just before half time when Scott Pink wrong footer his opponent and showed too much pace for the cover.  The half time score was 12-4 to St Benedict's.

The second half started much like the first and Dan Smith's words of wisdom at half time sprung the Whitehaven team into action.  Andrew Smith crossed for his second try following slick handling and similar to his first beat one defender with some smart footwork and had the strength to take a defender over the line with him.  Whitehaven built on this with a sustained period of pressure with stand off Steven Smith's break the highlight.  To their credit the St Benedict's defence marshalled by Jamie Doran and Leon Crellin was resolute and kept themselves in the game.

The game breaker came as Dylan Hudson broke on the left flank beating a couple of would be tacklers to squeeze in at the corner, his magnificent touchline conversion gave St Benedict s 10 point advantage at 18-8.  The next 10 minutes saw defences dominant and only in the last play of the game did the scoreboard move.  Man of the Match Brad Smith open the defence up again and his well weighted pass saw Ryan Watson crossing for a well earned try.