Sunday brought the final league game for Carlisle Cougars this season.
It was a home game against Trafford Ladies and Cougars, determined to end the league on a high, in the sunshine at home were all ready for their opponents.
The game started with the Cougars taking possession of the ball, three minutes into the first half, the first Cougar crossed the try line.
Second row Jess Hetherington battled from 10 metres out to get the first 5 points on the board, carrying two of Trafford over the try line hanging off her.
Fly half Sarah Smyth added the extra points with her conversion.
Trafford Ladies fought back, but couldn’t keep possession of the ball. With Jess Hetherington sending a kick flying down the pitch, the Cougars put in the work, building pressure and all leading to Holly Falder getting possession of the ball and speeding down the wing to give the Cougars another try.
Following a penalty, the Cougars went through phase after phase hunting for a gap in the defence, but finally, vice captain Vanessa Hagen broke through defence to score her try under the sticks, with Smyth adding the extras.
From a Cougars line out, scrum half Philippa Chadwick passed the ball to fly half, Sarah Smyth who took advantage of a gap and her speed leaving Trafford, and half her own teamamtes in the dust, to add another try, before successfully converting it.
Another line out on the 10m line, resulted in Trafford’s defence being outstepped by Hagen, hungry for her second try under the sticks.
Smyth adding another conversion.
The first half ended with the Cougars on a high, having dominated the first half.
The second half started with renewed vigour from both the Cougars and Trafford, both determined to put as many points on the board.
Another Cougar line out, this one lost to Trafford, who knocked the ball on. Kim Fitzmaurice scooped it up and ran, passing to Chadwick before she was tackled, keeping the ball alive, it went to Sally Christie, who sprinted down a wing to score the first try of the second half. Smyth’s trusty boot added the extra points.
Trafford fought back, with the Cougars making some mistakes in defence, leading them to their first try of the game, which they converted.
The Cougars were determined and a speedy run from Captain Chadwick saw her nearly adding her own try, sadly caught just before the try line.
The Cougars added pressure, keeping the ball, edging closer with two forwards phases, before sending out to the backs, where Claire Powell scored, which Smyth converted.
Following a line out and resulting backs move, which centre, Hagen aimed to crash the ball, she found a gap and instead ran two thirds of the pitch, passing to second row, Kim Fitzmaurice who made it over the try line. With Smyth adding another conversion.
Trafford were awarded a penalty try due to the Cougars being offside on the try line.
The final whistle blew, with the Cougars elated at the win.
Carlisle Cougars 54 vs Trafford Ladies 14
A massive thank you to all the supporters who came to cheer the Cougars on, and a special mention to Karen Phillips-Craig and Keith Copeland for taking game day photos.
Tries
- Jess Hetherington x1
- Holly Falder x 1
- Vanessa Hagen x2
- Sarah Smyth x1
- Sally Christie x1
- Claire Powell x1
- Kim Fitzmaurice x1
- Conversions
- Sarah Smyth x7
Players of the Match
- Forward of the Match – Kim Fitzmaurice
- Back of the Match – Sarah Smyth
- Opposition of the Match – Vanessa Hagen
- Although the league has finished, the Cougars have a home game on April 13th against Chester Devas as part of the Papa Johns Intermediate Plate.
