Experience was the deciding factor in the women’s clash under the Winters Park lights.
Hosts Penrith Panthers were only formed 13 months ago while Workington Finches have had ten years in the Ladies game.
That was reflected in the result as the Finches won 41-17, building on a 24-12 half-time advantage.
The Finches had dominated the first 30 minutes of the game all the ball and no matter how many times the Panthers gained possession they soon lost it.
Penrith defended grittily with a much smaller side and although they battled hard Workington ran in four tries to open-up a 24-0 lead.
Nicole Stewart (2(, Jodie Morley and Juliet Porter crossed for the Finches with Stewart popping over a couple of conversions.
When Penrith finally got some possession they looked dangerous with ball in hand. When they were awarded a penalty, Polly Bowman took it quickly and broke through the initial defence before off-loading to Josie Scrimgour who was brought down with 10 metres to go.
The forwards recycled well and it was moved wide to Caitlin Wood who drew the last defender to put Ghana Walker over to score. Wood adding the conversion.
The Panthers had their tails up and started to compete well. Another penalty taken by Bowman, resulted in the ball moving wide through Julia Addison, Scrimgour and finally Wood who went over to score. Just before half time.
The Panthers continued from where they left off at the start of the second half and they were first onto the score sheet.
The Penrith forwards were working hard keeping the ball, and the backs were moving it from one side of the pitch to the other.
Scrimgour came into the attacking line from deep, fed Ella Purdy and looped round to get the ball back where she fed Wood to score her second try.
The game stayed competitive with both sides now putting phases together but the Finches were more clinical and they went on to score three more tries.
Stewart completed her hat-trick while there were also touchdowns for Sammy Jo Cole and Rachel Cockelty with Stewart adding a conversion.
This season is proving to be a learning curve for the Panthers and although they have a lot to work on there were a lot of positives to take from the Finches game.
Forward of the match for Penrith was Jenny Brown while back of the match award went to Caitlin Wood.
The Finches are a well-organised and capable side who will be back in action on Sunday at home on The Ellis to Sunderland Flames.
