Workington Zebra Finches’ hopes of a domestic trophy double were quashed last Sunday as Lancaster Lionesses were crowned RFU League 2 North Champions, writes John Hastings.
The Lionesses hammered bottom club Yarnbury 85-0 at Lancaster University to finish the season top with 67 points – an uncatchable eight ahead of the Finches, who have secured second place with one game in hand.
It is bitterly heart-breaking for Workington to once again miss out on the League crown – this is their fourth runners-up spot in seven seasons – and they will point to the 27-26 defeat away to the Lionesses, which bizarrely ended four minutes early just as they were about to score.
It is to be hoped that the RFU will reward the Finches’ endeavours with promotion alongside Lancaster, especially if they are considering league reconstruction.
Finches complete their league programme this Sunday and hope to finish on a victory note as they make their final trip to West Yorkshire for the return fixture against Skipton Roses, whom they beat 52-19 at The Ellis on the opening day of the season last October, which included a hat-trick by captain Juliet Porter.
Workington have already started meticulous preparations in time for the RFU Community Plate Final at Sixways in Worcester on May 17 against Devon side Okehampton, as they bid to make it three Plates in succession following Twickenham glory in 2023 and success in Worcester last year.
