Workington Finches hosted the Carlisle Cougars under the Ellis lights for a friendly ahead of the new Women’s League season.
From previous games against Workington the Cougars were aware their hosts had a great forward pack and how they coped would be a key feature for the Cougars. They did it well and won the game 29-15.
Because it was a warm up game it was agreed to play four-15 minute spells and the Cougars opened with a number of players operating in different positions to normal.
It was the Carlisle back row which set up the first try, gaining good possession for full-back Bethan Lloyd to tun in the first try in the corner.
Workington responded quickly with a penalty by Nicole Stewart before Carlisle scored two tries in quick succession from their flankers Kim Fitzmaurice and Vanessa Hagen to lead 15-3.
The Carlisle defence was put under a lot of pressure in the second quarter and Sophie Bowness went in for a Workington try.
However the pace of Hagen was to prove crucial for the Cougars as she slalomed through the home defence to score a fourth Carlisle try, which this time was converted by Sarah Smyth.
There was more success for the Cougars when the forwards managed to work the ball off a line out for Fitzmaurice to score her second try which was again converted by Smyth.
It was Workington who pressed strongly at the end and a clever dummy provided the opening for Megan Donald to score their second try which Stewart converted.
Carlisle’s Forward of the Match: Emma Copeland; Back of the Match: Lynsey Rumney and the Opposition pick as Player of the Match: Jess Barnes
The win was a great tonic for the Cougars ahead of the new season which opens with a home game on September 24 against Halifax.
The Workington women start their League season on Sunday (2pm ko) at home to Ryton.
