Carlisle Cougars visited Workington Finches at the Ellis for their final away game of the season and they made it a winning one, coming out on top 50-12.
The weather was grey and drizzly at kick off, but steadily improved and typically, once the game was over the sun was shining.
Only a few minutes into the game, the Cougars kept possession from a line-out, with the ball being worked to fly-half Sarah Smyth.
She capably drew the Finches in before a last second pass put centre Hannah Sherlock in for the first unconverted try of the game.
They didn’t have long to wait for the second as two minutes later when flanker, Alysha Greenwood raced down the wing, outpacing the Workington backs to score in the corner.
Keeping possession well the Cougars gave the ball to the forwards who ran well and strongly to try and tire the Workington defence.
It was second rower Caitlin Orr who found a gap and ran two thirds of the pitch with Workington backs in hot pursuit to add her name on the scoreboard. Smyth then added the extras.
Workington fought back well and Codey Johnston scored their first points with a try which Stacy Carruthers converted.
The Cougars were quick to respond, and again keeping possession from a line out, they ran at the line and once more Smyth drew in the Finches before a quick pass to hooker, Anna King allowed her to dart past defenders to score the try. Smyth added the extras for an interval lead of 24-7.
At the start of the second half the Cougars were quickly into their stride. King took a quick ball from the back of a ruck before Workington had organised their defence. She found Sherlock, who outpaced the defence to run in her second try which Smyth converted.
Workington came back strongly and scored their second try under the posts from Johnston but the conversion was missed.
The Finches came again and were in possession well inside the Cougars’ 22 where centre Hannah Wilkinson produced a fine tackle which sparked a maul.
It was Vanessa Hagen who managed to rip the ball clear and she and sprinted the length of the pitch to add another try to the Carlisle collection.
The next try came from a scrum, with number eight Greenwood picking up and handing off a Finches flanker, before being tackled.
The ball went to Smyth, who took it into contact before popping it to Sherlock, who scored her third try of the game. Smyth converted.
With only a few minutes left in the game, the Cougars weren’t done. Smyth found Sherlock, who broke the line and drew the Finches in.
She then found captain Philippa Chadwick who stepped the intended tackles and sprinted from half-way to put the ball down under the posts. Smyth stepped up to take the score to 50 with the conversion.
Cougars Players of the Match were: Forward, Amy Kinstrey; Back, Sadie Petch while the Finches chose Sarah Smyth. The Cougars final game of the season is on Sunday at home to Keswick Falcons and the team hopes there will be plenty of supporters there.
