Cumbria Under-18s girls team took part in a Tri-Counties Tournament at Northern and despite two defeats earned plenty of plaudits.
Led from the front by inspirational number eight Polly Bowman of Penrith, the Cumbrians produced a team effort and performance beyond expectation.
Cumbria’s strategy, devised and tested during three improvised training sessions was based on simplicity in attack and disciplined front foot defence.
They had travelled with 13 players but with the promise of loaned players from both opponents.
Northumberland and Durham were first into action. Although Northumberland started confidently Durham absorbed the shots and during an impressive second-half display scored twice to win 12-0.
Cumbria played Durham in their first match and on an increasingly mild, but windy day, tackled well and kept their opponents at bay.
The Cumbrians crafted chances to score but were punished for their errors and three tries gave Durham a 19-0 half-time lead.
Cumbria’s second half performance was damaged by a slowness to advance quickly in defence, which created space for Durham’s capable backs.
Penrith stand-off Chloe Capstick hit some great tackles but with the ball kept alive Durham made some impressive advances.
Cumbria’s forwards never stopped grafting and were rewarded with an injury time try scored by Bowman for a 34-5 final deficit.
Against Northumberland the Cumbrians started by claiming possession from scrum, line-out and most impressively in the loose.
Bowman led the way and was well-supported by fellow forwards Pippa Shay, Catherine Crichton, Sophie Watson and live-wire scrum-half Sophie Price.
Capstick was put through a gap and after a 40m metre run was dispossessed on the Northumberland try line.
However she did score the Cumbrian try in a frantic first-half which ended 12-5 in Northumberland’s favour.
Cumbria struggled to match their first-half performance and boosted by a stead supply of fresh replacements Northumberland established control.
Cumbria mounted a big finish and were rewarded when sustained pressure gained consolation tries by Price and a borrowed Durham player for a 15-36 score-line.
