In what was the perfect advertisement for women’s rugby, Workington Zebra Finches pushed Penrith Panthers all the way before finally going down 41-28 in a pulsating encounter at the Ellis.
To say that the opening 20 minutes of the first half were barnstorming would be an understatement as both sides scored two unconvered tries each.
Workington captain Charlotte Cammack twice crashed over after successful scrummaging and Penrith used blistering pace and power to create space that left their hosts flat-footed with tries by Sian Kirby and Caitlin Wood.
After a brief spell of midfield self-containment, it was the Panthers who seized the initiative on the half hour when Chloe Capstick received the ball on halfway and left the Finches floundering as she sprinted home for a brilliant solo try.
It was the first try of the afternoon to be converted, on this occasion by Helena Scullion.
Workington came back with force and a period of domination in Penrith territory ensued with Cammack going desperately close to a hat-trick, only to be thwarted by stubborn Panthers resistance.
Then on the stroke of half time, Penrith delivered a sucker-punch as Polly Bowman got the ball deep in her own half and then delivered a full length solo run and finish that left several Finches players bewildered and bedazzled by her lightning speed. The whistle blew for half-time the moment Scullion executed her conversion.
At 24-10 down, there were fears that Workington would capitulate in the second half – but they were dispelled within two minutes of the restart as a clever pass and move was finished off by Sophie Bowness going in at the corner for an unconverted try.
Workington began to dominate, putting Penrith under hitherto unaccustomed extensive pressure, with Elsa Whelan, Amy Cammack and Hannah Thornberry putting in tireless shifts.
This pressure reaped dividends on 62 minutes when another charge towards the tryline by Meagan Poynton was cruelly halted by a cynical high tackle.
The referee had no hesitation in swiftly awarding a penalty try and conversion, which now cut the deficit to two points and earned the Finches a bonus point for a fourth try.
By this time, Penrith were on the brink and only crucial defending prevented them from conceding more tries as Workington launched scrum after scrum, but their resistance buckled on 72 minutes when they conceded a penalty that Nicole Stewart effortlessly converted to put the Finches 25-24 ahead.
The Panthers then regained their composure and indeed their energy to step up a gear under the direction of skipper Caz Davidson and once again it was Capstick who sped clear to register her second try and regain the lead for Penrith.
A second penalty by Stewart was Workington’s quick response but this time the visitors were not going to be denied the last word and two tries deep in stoppage time sealed the deal as Wood (again) and Josie Scrimgour turned on the style to punish the tiring Finches with Scullion making it a hat-trick of conversions.
On the final whistle, both Workington and Penrith received a well-deserved round of applause from the Ellis faithful and the mutual respect between both sides was plain to see – if ever there was an advert for women’s rugby, then this was it and more.
The result sees Workington slip to second bottom of Division 2 (North) – nine points clear of Sunderland Flames, who they visit this Sunday.
The Panthers could reflect on a massive shift as Workington were the much bigger and more experienced side but the Panthers more than held their own.
They showed great character and heart to come back and win the game after letting the lead go.
The Panthers lost their first four league games, including against the Finches at home, but they have won their last three games to show how much they have grown over the season.
Their back of the match was Chloe Capstick and forward of the match was Polly Bowman.
