Cumbria went down 53-12 to Devon in the final of the Gill Burns Women’s County Championship at Twickenham.
It was part of a double on the day for Devon as their men’s team beat North Midlands 39-20 in the Third Division final of the Bill Beaumont Cup.
For Cumbria’s women, however, it was a heavy defeat against a sharp and exuberant Devon side who scored nine tries, but still a memorable occasion at the iconic venue.
Coach Ally Ratcliffe was proud of her players and insisted the experience will have been invaluable. Devon had been the beaten finalists last year against Notts, Lincs and Derby.
She said: “I think it was a remarkable achievement for us to get there. We were picking our players from only six teams while Devon had 11 to choose from.
“We did produce some good rugby at times and our first try was picked up and shown on the RFU website because they saw it as being particular good.
“But Devon scored some good ones themselves and just had too much pace for us and exploited the spaces. We had to do a lot of defending and it told on us.
“However I think we can look back and feel proud that we got to the final. We will take a break, come back refreshed and hopefully start on what we hope will be a return visit next year.”
Although they conceded the first try, Cumbria actually led 7-5 when Bethan Lloyd of Carlisle scored a very good try which Lucy Branthwaite (Upper Eden) converted off the touchline.
Cumbria did not score again until right at the end when Hayley Hodgson (Kendal) took an interception to go over for the second try which was unconverted.
