Cumbria head to Twickenham this weekend for the final of the Gill Burns County Championship – and not just to make up the numbers.
After dominant performances in winning their group Cumbria women’s team are in confident move, even though there have been some setbacks in team selection.
Vice-captain Kim Fitzmaurice of Carlisle is on holiday while Workington’s Sophie Bowness misses out because she’s attending a friend’s wedding.
Then a training accident to Chrissie Hadfield saw her needing shoulder surgery and cost her a place in the squad, although she plans to travel and support her team-mates.
Cumbria started the season with 35 players but a few knocks and injuries have reduced numbers, but certainly not the spirit in the squad.
Coach Ally Ratcliffe says: “We are not going just for the run-out, we are going there to win.
“I do think it is going to be a tight game as I’ve watched Devon on video. They lost in the final to Notts, Lincs and Derby last season so have the experience of playing at Twickenham.
“There is a lot of potential in our team. We have genuine pace in the side and part of our work since the last group game in Essex has been about creating and exploiting spaces to use the pace we have.”
Ally is an experienced coach, who had a year coaching the men’s team at Langholm, and has since been elected into the Langholm club’s Hall of Fame – an honour she is understandably proud of.
Although Carlisle-born she has lived in Langholm for much of her life and is deputy head at Hawick High School.
Through the season’s preparation, Cumbria have trained around the county – Keswick, Carlisle, Upper Eden and this week both sessions will have been carried out at Penrith.
It’s been widely reported that the women’s team were looking for funding, trying to raise £5,000 to help cover the weekend expenses and last night they were only £160 shy.
“Kendal Calling chipped in with £2,000 and then we’ve had a £1,500 donation from Genesis Homes, and with individuals responding as well we are almost there,” said Ally.
The Cumbrian party will travel down on Saturday and stay overnight near Twickenham – ready for an early-morning call as their final is first on at 11am.
