Workington Zebra Finches are on their way to Twickenham after they literally made a last second booking to overcome a stubborn Lichfield Green 15-10 in the semi-final of the RFU Women’s Junior Plate, writes John Hastings.
The Ellis Sports Ground has had plenty of fond moments down the years – including the All Blacks being humbled in 1972; Workington Zebras clinching their first League title in 1986 and their nail-biting Cumbria Cup triumph in 2002 as well as the Rugby World Cup making a visit in 2015.
Now the Sunday afternoon smash and grab exploits of the Finches can be added with pride to that list.
After a cagey opening 10 minutes or so, which saw both sides weighing up the opposition, it was Workington who seized the initiative and broke the deadlock.
A hopeful sky-high punt found Megan Donald, who wasted no time in battling her way into the corner to open the scoring with an unconverted try.
Lichfield – who currently lay second in Midlands League 2 – quickly recovered and after a period of domination in their hosts’ territory, stepped-up a gear and got their reward on 23 minute.
Another well-crafted surge finally broke Workington resistance and it was Kate Darlison who gleefully nipped in between the posts to level. The conversion attempt fell painfully short.
With the score now at 5-5, it was becoming a battle of wits with both sides coming close to taking the lead as try scoring opportunities were thwarted either by doughty tackling or the referee spotting infringements.
It looked as though the first half would end all square when on the stroke of half time, one lapse too many by Lichfield saw the referee award a penalty to Workington and Nicole Stewart made no mistake to give the Finches an 8-5 lead at the interval.
The second half began with another spell of containment, with both sides grafting and grinding to find that elusive opening, and on 50 minutes it was Lichfield who finally picked Workington’s defensive lock to take the lead for the first time.
Mylene Bepole’s blistering pace left them trailing as she sprinted home into the corner for the visitors’ second try, which again went unconverted.
Encouraged by the vociferous crowd, Workington were determined to regain the lead – with Sophie Weir, Elsa Whelan and Steph Radcliffe among others all working overtime in order to prise an opening.
Try as they might however, the Green Wall of Lichfield was always alert and apart from a few surges into Finches territory seemed content on protecting their narrow lead.
In the last ten minutes, there was a flurry of line-outs and scrums deep in Lichfield’s half. With captain Charlotte Cammack leading by example, the Finches won the majority of line-outs and their no-nonsense, determined scrummaging pushed them agonisingly close to the whitewash but no further.
Then on 78 minutes, the.pressure was awarded with a penalty. Stewart hit the ball sweetly enough but it fall painfully short and back into Lichfield hands.
But then, in one final denouement, Workington won turn-over and launched a lightning pass-and-move that was finished by Donald touching down for her second try that was rewarded by one big exuberant pile-on by her giddy Finches team-mates and loud cheers from The Ellis crowd.
When Stewart sweetly added the conversion, full time was called and that triggered scenes of delirious jubilation, both on and off the pitch – after ten years since they were formed, Workington Zebra Finches were going to Twickenham.
Every Finches player – starters and replacements – can write their name in Ellis folklore on a day that will be talked about for a very long time indeed.
But special praise must be bestowed on their coach Kevin O’Neil, who came out of retirement to guide the Finches to glory – with his impeccable player-management allied to astute tactical awareness, he ticked every box on the touchline and nobody was a prouder man than him at full time.
Workington will now take on Avonmouth in the Final on Sunday April 30 (kick-off to be confirmed) after the ladies from Bristol pulled off their own narrow victory of 39-36 at Welwyn in the other semi-final.
But before all that, there are three league games remaining for the Finches – two at home against Keswick next Sunday and Ryton on April 2 followed by Upper Eden away a fortnight later.
And then on April 30, their date with destiny arrives – and how tremendous would it be if a large contingent from Workington descended on rugby’s HQ to roar the Finches on as they attempt to lift their first trophy – and on the national stage.
