Six weeks after grinding out a narrow 15-12 league success, Workington Zebra Finches returned to West Yorkshire and racked up seven tries to depose Yarnbury out of the RFU Community Plate with a comprehensive 41-19 victory and set up a home semi-final next month.
Finches captain Juliet Porter and Megan Mayhew Beach helped themselves to two tries apiece, with other tries coming from Megan Donald, Meagan McAndrew and Caitlin Jenkinson while Stacey Carruthers delivered a hat-trick of conversions.
While the backs were feasting on tries, the forwards were at their dominant best, with solid tackling allied to unflinching efficiency in scrums and lineouts – especially the front row trinity of Codey Johnston, Sally Fenwick and the evergreen Rose Cleaton, while Beth Adams was untouchable at Number Eight with her hard-hitting challenges and feisty attacking surges.
Having won the last two RFU Community Plates, Workington now have a hat-trick in their sights, but first they have the small matter of a semi-final at The Ellis on April 13 against Harpenden, currently unbeaten and top of RFU League 2 Midlands – but it’s safe to say that the Finches will already be doing their homework and will be prepared for action on the day.
In the meantime, it’s back to RFU League 2 North action as they are back on the road again next Sunday at Preston Grasshoppers, followed by three successive games at The Ellis as they aim to continue their promotion charge.
