FINCHES CLIP EAGLES' WINGS TO REACH TOP NEST

Workington Zebra Finches moved top of the RFU North 2 League after an impressive 29 - 7 victory against Upper Eden Eagles at The Ellis

They recovered from conceding an early first half try from Claire Powell & conversion by Lucy Braithwaite with tries from four different players to seal maximum points.

Caitlin Jenkinson scored her 3rd try in as many games while captain Charlotte Cammack & Beth Sunderland bagged their first tries since November & Nicole Stewart claimed her 9th try of the season while also kicking 3 conversions & a penalty to give her 14 points in the match & break the 100 points barrier in all competitions for the season.

Once again, it was a well-crafted all round performance by the Finches with Caitlin Jenkinson impeccably filling in for the injured Megan Donald at right wing, the returning Steph Ratcliffe resuming her dynamic ball-winning partnership with Nicole Stewart & Juliet Porter resuming at centre to dovetail her stylish attacks with Sophie Weir's tireless running & hard-hitting tackles.

Beth Sunderland shut down challenges & attacks in her own signature uncompromising style & the back row trinity of Beth Adams, Charlotte Cammack & Kathryn Wood continues to provide short shrift in attack as well as in the scrum.

Workington have played two games more than Keswick, but now the pressure is on the Falcons to win those games in hand before both sides do battle at Davidson Park on St Patrick's Day.

Before then, Workington finally get a week's rest & recharge after seven successive games before they resume their defence of the RFU Community Plate on 7th March when they host North Ribblesdale at The Ellis.

By John Hastings