Workington Town Ladies reached the semi-final of the Women’s Shield competition when they beat Hull FC Ladies 24-14 at the Ellis Sports Ground.
Town were playing their first game in the competition as they had reached this stage through two walkover victories, when both Bronte Barbarians and Crossfield ARLFC Ladies were unable to field teams to take on Gareth Nicholson’s side.
It was Hull’s third game, having won convincingly at Wigan St Judes 50-0 and at Rochdale Hornets 20-4 but met their match in newly-promoted Town.
The hosts got off to the perfect start when FC’s kick off didn’t go 10 as they made the most of the play.
Beth Adams laid a platform for Josie Scrimgour to score after evading three defenders with debutant Keeley Chatters converting.
Town then were nearly over again but a forward pass halted their progress and it was the turn of FC to put the pressure on.
A repeat set from a penalty due to Nikita Gibson pulling the hair of the FC centre saw them over to reduce the deficit to two points as the kick fell just short in a prevailing wind.
Town conceded two back to back penalties on 28 minutes and FC led for the first time at 10-6.
Hull were able to score again on 36 minutes when there was no hooker to play the ball for Town and the visitors took advantage to go over for an unconverted try, to lead 14-6 at the break.
As in the first half, the second period started well for Town when Leonie Bragg burst through two tackles to score as the kick failed into the wind.
Adams got Town level when she took four defenders over the line approaching the hour and Chatters conversion put Town back in front at 16-14.
It had become a huge battle of attrition in the wind but Rebecca Gilpin scored out wide with minutes left and the win sealed on the stroke of full time when Sophie Price went over for the fifth Town try.
Ladies player of match: Kacey Currie.
