History was made at the Ellis as, despite the windy weather, Workington Zebra Finches and Carlisle Cougars contested the very first Women’s Cumbria Cup tie, writes John Hastings.
However, it was the Cougars who prevailed as they dashed the Finches’ treble dream with a 37-5 victory to book their place in the final, although it is important to point out that this result is not the romp that it appears to be.
Despite being a division below them, Workington put intense pressure on Carlisle for extended periods of the game with solid scrummaging and clever attacks – one of which led to their only try from Sophie Weir early in the second half – and they can count themselves unlucky to have had two tries disallowed.
Only in the last 20 minutes did the Cougars really manage to step up a level and pull clear with intense speed and quality attacks.
Josie Scrimgour and Sarah Pratt each bagged a pair of tries for Carlisle with one each from Jess Barnes, Hannah Musgrave and Sarah Smyth, who also added the only conversion.
Carlisle will now meet either Kendal Wasps or Keswick Falcons in the final on 31st March at a neutral ground to be decided.
Workington had several key players missing through injury and thus had to play some out of position, but as proved several times already, their versatility was never in question – especially from Sophie Weir, who switched effortlessly between centre to help out the forwards while Caitlin Jenkinson was fluid and dangerous at left wing.
Elsewhere, recent debutantes Codey Johnston and Kelly Manford both enhanced their reputations with efficient performances, Megan Donald once again showed her blistering pace on the right wing, while captain Charlotte Cammack was once again the omnipresent scourge of the opposition with her excellent drives, carries and attacks.
Workington’s treble dream may have passed, but they remain in the hunt for the North 2 League and this Sunday continue their defence of the RFU Community Plate as they visit Durham City.
