Finches Battle Through To Clinch Semi Final Place

Workington FInches maintained their quest for silverware with a battling 25 - 14 success over Bishop Auckland at The Ellis to book their place in the semi final of the RFU Ladies Junior Cup.

The snow began to fall briefly just as the match kicked off but it was the Finches who struck hot by taking the lead after barely a minute when a series of well marshalled scrums pushed the visitors to breaking point before Rose Cleaton applied the finishing touch by crashing over the whitewash for an unconverted try.

Bishop Auckland were shaken by this early setback, but they were determined not to be unbowed as they launched several assaults into Finches territory, looking dangerous at all times. However, Workington's defence - one of the success stories of their season - remained uncompromising and exemplary in equal measure.

Then on 16 minutes, Workington increased their lead as Kirby Neesham collected the ball from halfway and went on a mesmerising solo run to leave her opponents clutching thin air before being tackled just short of the tryline, but she quickly teed up Nicole Stewart who nipped in to touch down and proceeded to add the conversion herself.

Workington were calling the shots and four minutes later, another powerful scrum saw Stewart power her way through to claim her second try and conversion to make the score 19 - 0.

However, the North East ladies once more laid siege into their opponents half and on 23 minutes reduced the arrears when they captilised on rare sloppy defensive lapses to grab their first try, which was easily converted.

Workington redeemed themselves by closing out the first half against a flurry of attacks and scrums whilst creating a handful of menacing surges themselves from Neesham, Stewart, Danielle Easdon and Elsa Whelan.

The second half began with the Finches determined to extend their advantage and it only took them four minutes to do so when Stewart delivered a devastating solo sprint before offloading the ball to Neesham who breezed home for the hosts' fourth try of the afternoon, which this time round went unconverted.

Once again, Bishop Auckland refused to surrender and they kept ploughing away in the hope of launching a comeback, but were undone by clumsy knock-ons and more resolute defence from the Finches - especially in the scrums with Ruth Thorpe and Charlotte Bowman displaying impeccable security and tireless assurance to their fellow forwards.

Having rode the storm, Workington drew further ahead on the hour with a calmly taken penalty from Stewart, which took them 18 points ahead with 20 minutes to go.

Workington suffered a double setback when on 68 minutes, Linzi Carruthers was involved in a scuffle and saw yellow for retaliation and then a few minutes later, Stewart was taken off after suffering a bad ankle knock.

Despite being a woman down, the Finches continued to hold firm and frustrate Bishop Auckland until two minutes from time when one last charge from the visitors delivered a consolation try, which was converted.

The final whistle triggered scenes of jubilation from Workington players and supporters as another historic moment in the Finches' six year history unfolded.

By John Hastings @ The ESG