FINCHES DELIVER CONVINCING VICTORY TO FIRE PROMOTION WARNING TO RIVALS

After finishing runners up in North 2 West last season, hopes are high that Workington Finches can clinch promotion this time round and they underlined their credentials with a convincing 31 - 12 victory against WInnington Park at The Ellis.

From kick off, the Finches grabbed control of the game and it only took them 8 minutes to open the scoring as Nicole Stewart delivered a teasing run followed by a dainty swerve to slice through the visitors' defence and touch down before adding the conversion herself.

The lead was increased 5 minutes later as Lauren Coulson and Amy Brennan - making her Finches comeback after 2 years away - combined to set up Shaz Dunne who stormed her way over the whitewash for an unconverted try

Before Winnington Park could find enough time to assert themselves, they fell further behind after 18 minutes when Stewart launched her signature thundering run from her own half before offloading the ball to Coulson who left her opponents grabbing thin air as she breezed away to finish off under the posts to allow Stewart a simple conversion.

The visitors finally began to make their presence felt with a series of challenging inroads into their hosts' 22, coupled with efficient scrummaging and their dominance was rewarded on 23 minutes as they caught Workington off guard to break clear for a try which went unconverted.

Any fears of a Workington wobble were swiftly dissolved as they regained advantage on the half hour Stewart again weaved her magic to slalom her way through the visitors' defence before sprinting away unchallanged to claim her second try followed by a third conversion.

The lead could and should have been extended, especially with Brennan delivering untouchable running along with creative passing. However Winnington, to their credit, managed to stem the tide and closed out the first half without conceding further points.

Workington began the second half determined to increase their lead and following a succession of well orchestrated scrummages did just that on 47 minutes with an unconverted try when captain Charlotte Bowman was first to win the ball and then crash down over the line. At 31 - 5 ahead with still over half an hour to play, there were many pf The Ellis faithful who fully expected the score to be at least doubled.

But Winnington had other ideas and once again managed to retake the game as their initial policy of self containment matured into an all out surge for tries and the Finches did well to remain alert to this threat, with Marie Shearman and Rose Cleeton providing a calming influence.

However, the visitors kept plugging away with further insurges allied to feisty scrummaging and their extensive pressure finally hit the jackpot 5 minutes from time as they wore down Workington's defensive shield to grab their second try of the afternoon, which was converted.

In the closing moments, Workington had two chances to have the final word - first Bowman thought she had scored her second try, but the referee spotted an infringement and brought play back. Then another captivating run from Brennan saw her within touching distance of the try line, but was thwarted by desperate Winnington tackling.

On the whole, Workington can take pride in their performance and the assured debuts of Sophie Weir, Chantelle Wood and Leanne Todd means that more strength in depth as well as flexibility is added to the squad.

Up next for the Finches is their first game on the road next Sunday when they travel to Garstang and they will be confident of maintaining their winning momentum in what promises to be another memorable season.

By John Hastings @ The ESG