Carlisle Cougars were knocked out of the Papa Johns Intermediate Cup by visitors Horden and Peterlee Valkyries who won 15-12.
The Cougars have played the Valkyries in their league for the past two seasons and knew they were a strong team, although they have never met them in a Cup game.
Carlisle started quickly and scored the first try by centre Hannah Musgrave but it was quickly evened up by the Valkyries, who like the Cougars missed the conversion.
The Cougars were down to 14 players with a player in the bin but managed to hold the Valkyries until they finally broke through the home defence to score a second try, and a half-time lead of 10-5.
In the second-half the Cougars came back well and winger Sally Christie showed a clean pair of heels to her opponents as she raced away for the equalising try. She was able to pop the ball down under the sticks and Sarah Smyth’s conversion gave the Cougars a 12-10 lead.
Late on the Valkyries clinched victory with a third, unconverted try to make progress in the national competition.
Forward of the match for the Cougars was Jess Hetherington; back of the match was Sally Christie while the opposition made Hannah Musgrave player of the match.
Although Carlisle are out of the Papa Johns cup they have the League season ahead, starting on October 13 at Halifax.
A game that’s already been noted is January 5 when the Cougars will look for revenge as they play the Valkyries again.
