After grinding out victory at Yarnbury last month, it was deja vu in West Yorkshire for Workington Zebra Finches as they battled their way to a narrow 22-17 success at Old Brodleains, writes John Hastings.
The result takes Workington back to the top of League 2 North, and they were made to sweat against their hosts who were well organised both going forward and in defence.
Captain Juliet Porter helped herself to a pair of tries to give her 11 for the season thus far, with other tries coming from evergreens Rose Cleaton and Rachael Cairns. Stacey Carruthers added the only conversion.
It was another good all-round performance from Workington – especially from Codey Johnston, whose efficient and no-nonsense consistency at loosehead prop both in open play and scrummaging was impeccable.
Elsewhere, Steph Ratcliffe was tenacious and aggressive as always at scrum-half, while Elsa Whelan created several dangerous moves as well as slamming down potential opposition surges.
Not for the first time, player flexibility was on fine display with Beth Adams, returning from injury, moving up from flanker to partner Whelan at centre and she carried off the challenge with smooth precision.
Credit goes to Old Brodleains, who frustrated the Finches at times with solid defence as well as helping themselves to three tries and a conversion.
Workington will be quietly confident of maintaining their superb run when they play their first home game of this year at The Ellis this year, hosting Old Crossleyans on February 23.
