Workington Zebra Finches moved top of the RFU North 2 League after an impressive 29-7 victory against Upper Eden Eagles at The Ellis, writes John Hastings.
They recovered from conceding an early first half try from Claire Powell and conversion by Lucy Braithwaite with tries from four different players to seal maximum points.
Caitlin Jenkinson scored her third try in as many games while captain Charlotte Cammack and Beth Sunderland bagged their first tries since November.
Nicole Stewart claimed her ninth try of the season while also kicking three conversions and a penalty to give her 14 points in the match and break the 100 points barrier in all competitions for the season.
Once again, it was a well-crafted all round performance by the Finches with Jenkinson impeccably filling in for the injured Megan Donald at right wing.
The returning Steph Ratcliffe resumed her dynamic ball-winning partnership with Nicole Stewart and Juliet Porter was back at centre to dovetail her stylish attacks with Sophie Weir’s tireless running and hard-hitting tackles.
Sunderland shut down challenges and attacks in her own signature uncompromising style and the back row trinity of Beth Adams, Cammack and Kathryn Wood continues to provide short shrift in attack as well as in the scrum.
Workington have played two games more than Keswick, but now the pressure is on the Falcons to win those games in hand before both sides do battle at Davidson Park on St Patrick’s Day.
Before then, Workington finally get a week’s rest and recharge after seven successive games before they resume their defence of the RFU Community Plate on March 7 when they host North Ribblesdale at The Ellis.
