A new look Workington Zebras kicked off their Cumbria League campaign with a convincing 33-14 victory against Aspatria Eagles at Bower Park.
Last season saw Workington finish rock bottom in the league following a difficult campaign. This season, five players made their debuts and there is also a new captain in Scott Faulkner, so the Zebras were delighted to get off to a positive start.
Three of the debutants were on the score-sheet with tries from Gareth Niemand, Jenson Morris and Josh Partridge, while captain Faulkner and Chris Stringer also crossed the whitewash and John McCrickerd added four conversions.
Also making their Zebras debut were Daniel Hargreaves and Diego Sutcliffe, while at the other end of the spectrum, coach Lee Harden rolled back the years by coming on for the last 10 minutes.
Aspatria Eagles, on the other hand, overcame a glut of injuries and withdrawals to compete over the 80 minutes and claim two tries of their own from Ollie Larkins and Ryan Graham which were converted by Jonny Miller.
Workington will be hoping to keep up the winning momentum this Saturday at The Ellis when they host Whitehaven in what promises to be a keenly-contested derby. Whitehaven opened their campaign with a 17-8 defeat at Egremont.
Aspatria, meanwhile, have a home game against Cockermouth, relegated last season and hoping to start on the right foot after being the spare team on the opening day.
Other results from the Cumbria League were: Ambleside 22, Creighton 28; Keswick 2nds 29, Millom 25; St. Benedict’s 14, Penrith 2nds 38; Wigton 2nds 64, Hawcoat Park 10.
Penrith Rugby Club fielded three senior sides over the weekend with over 60 players turning out and all three sides won.
The 3rds played on Friday evening under the lights entertaining a strong physical Wigton 2nd team and won 24-19.
The first half was a closely fought affair with both sides showing great endeavour and coming up with an unconverted try apiece, the home side had James Newman to thank for keeping them on level terms at the break with a well taken try following a strong run down the right wing.
After the break Penrith got their noses in front when Manny Mbatha finished off a well worked move to score from close range but the lead didn’t last long with the visitors coming back with their strong running inside backs to level the scores once more.
Penrith were ringing the changes, using their 24-man squad, and rather lost their cohesion whereas Wigton made fewer changes and looked as if they were going to close the game out when they scored again.
Darren Lee had been introduced by this stage and his pace chasing a deep kick got the home side into a good position deep in the visitors’ 22. After several drives for the line Chris Hellon came up with the try and again the scores were level.
As the game came to a close the home side sneaked the win when they stole line-out ball close to the Wigton line, and after the initial forward drive for the line, the ball was spread wide in midfield to Lee whose pace took him round any cover to win the game for his side.
Wigton were very competitive in defence and some of the attacking play was excellent, with players supporting the ball allowing the off-loads and keeping continuity.
Penrith just had that extra bit of experience and a slightly bigger squad which proved the difference as fresh legs, and playing to the refetree’s interpretation of the laws, gave them the edge.
Wigton tries were scored by the impressive Jordan Moore who bagged himself a brace, showing good pace on the wing and Oliver Jarret who powered over from seven metres following good build-up play. Jayden French converted two.
The young Wigton players can take confidence from this experience and continue to adapt and improve to senior rugby.
