Carlisle Cougars overpower Didsbury

Carlisle Cougars. Picture: Kayleigh Wilkinson

A rare Saturday game brought Didsbury to sunny Carlisle for a home game.

The Cougars opened strongly, with Vanessa Hagen putting five points on the board within a minute of play, number 10, Sarah Smyth adding two points with a clean conversion.

Didsbury rallied and added their own try with a speedy run.

Hannah Sherlock broke through the defensive line 10 minutes later to get a try, with Smyth adding the conversion.

A rolling maul from a line out brought hooker, Hayley Thompson a chance for her own try. A move the forward pack have been raring to execute after training.

Following a Didsbury lineout going wrong, second row, Kim Fitzmaurice managed to dodge Didsbury defenders, running from the 22 to add another try to the scoreboard.

Half time rolled round with Carlisle leading.

The second half started strong, with Holly Falder crossing the try line outrunning Didsbury to get her first ever try, followed shortly by her second, which due to a high tackle on the try line was given as a penalty try, with Didsbury being sent off with a yellow card.

Sub, Emily Howard joined the game with fresh legs, and took advantage of a spilled ball to run in another try.

Winger Sally Christie added another try to the scoreboard in the corner. However the conversion was missed.

A yellow card was given to the Cougars Vanessa Hagen, now down to 14, Didsbury broke through Cougars defence to get their second try.

However, Cougars responded and in the last few minutes of the game Sally Christie managed her second try of the game.

Usual fly half, Sarah Smyth was off with a knee injury, and second row, Jess Hetherington stepped up to take the conversion, something she used to do when playing for the junior team. The kick sailed beautifully over the sticks and the final whistle blew.

Final score: Carlisle Cougars 55 vs 14 Didsbury Ladies