Penrith Rugby Club’s senior sides’ preparations for the new season got off to an earlier than expected start with a trial game against Creighton.
Creighton had been let down elsewhere and contacted Penrith to ask if they could come to the rescue and host the game at Winters Park.
Penrith’s management may have worried they would struggle to raise a side at short notice but in the event over 30 players made themselves available and from them a squad of 26 largely second team players took on Creighton.
The game was played in four 20-minute quarters and Penrith got off to a good start when Creighton initially got the wrong side of the referee and gave away a string of penalties.
When the home side opted for a scrum from one of them five metres out it was new number eight Sam Wilson who eventually forced the try. Fraser Nicolson added a second in the first quarter again from a penalty this time a quickly taken one.
Penrith also won the second quarter by two tries, Andy Muir crossed from close quarters and then Nick Dudson added another following a break by Wilson.
The Penrith defence was excellent but there was less between the sides than the score suggested. Creighton also defended stoutly but the home side had that little bit of quality to open a defence the visitors didn’t have, although they were well organised and coached and were physically competitive.
Penrith also dominated the third quarter as Ben Higgins scored following a neat pass out of contact by Muir.
James Hall finished off a move in the right hand corner and Ben Littleton was involved twice running back a kick from his own half and he also scored in the right corner.
Although Higgens grabbed a second and Dylan Cowperthwaite scored in the final quarter Creighton had the better of things and eventually muscled their way over for a well deserved score.
Both clubs would take plenty away from the evening’s game and those who turned up to spectate saw a well contested entertaining game.
Penrith’s preparations continue with a trial game at Dumfries this weekend (13th Aug) and another at West Hartlepool the weekend after on the 20th.
The first competitive 1st XV game is on Friday 26th August before the bank holiday weekend at home against Wigton in the county cup.
The league starts the week-end after on the 3rd September with the first team at home against Durham City and the seconds at Silloth.
