YELLOW PERIL FOR FINCHES AS DEVAS TAKE THE SPOILS

Workington Finches' chequered league season continued as they suffered their fourth loss in six games by going down 12 - 31 against Chester Devas at The Ellis.

Straight from kick off, Workington camped in their opponents' half and after two minutes they almost took the lead following a driving scrum, but were thwarted inches from the tryline by resolute Chester tackling.

The deadlock was eventually broken by the Devas on 11 minutes when a poor Finches clearance was charged down and their punishment was delivered as the visitors raced under the posts for a converted try.

Six minutes later, Chester increased their lead after stretching the Workington defence to breaking point before the clinical snap saw them touch down for their second try, which this time went unconverted.

To their credit, the Finches refused to buckle and they gradually regained the whip hand as Elsa Whelan, Nicole Stewart, Rachael Cairns and Beth Adams gave the Devas cause for concern with their fierce running and cunning gameplay, while Leonie Hudson produced uncompromising tackles that her opponents will not forget in a hurry.

Once again, captain Charlotte Cammack remained vocal and dangerous as ever and on 27 minutes, she caught Chester napping with a quick tap and go before thrusting herself over the whitewash for her sixth try of the season and Sharon Dunne easily added the conversion.

Workington were now asserting their authority on the game and two minutes from time, an impressive pass and move buildup was rounded off by Nicole Stewart, who thundered home for a well deserved try - however, Dunne was grossly unlucky with her conversion and so it was 12 - 12 at half time.

Any momentum that the Finches had built up was punctured two minutes into the second half when Chester took advantage of slack marking with sn unconverted try in the corner to restore their lead.

Back came Workington however, and once more they dominated Devas territory with a series of aggressive, driving scrums as Whelan, Cairns, Adams and Cammack were again in the forefront of the cavalry. But just as in the early stages of the first half, Chester weathered the storm with stubborn, efficient defending.

On 58 minutes, disaster struck for the Finches when Stewart was sin binned following an uncharacteristic display of retaliation and Chester quickly took advantage of the extra woman two minutes later when they increased their lead with a breakaway try and conversion.

It got worse for Workington shortly after as the hitherto mild mannered Fiona McKay saw yellow for her verbal outburst at the referee - now down to 13, their backs were well and truly up against the wall and their slow burning frustration boiled over on 68 minutes when they were penalised with a penalty try for denying Chester a scoring opportunity and Katie Harper became the third Finches player to taste yellow after one offside too many in the buildup.

With victory secured, Chester were content to see out the game and managed to contain one last onslaught from Workington in the closing stages.

Despite the result, there were positives for Workington to build on, such as the drilled scrummaging and constructive attacks. Also, special mention goes to debutant Rebecca Harding, who came on during the second half and slotted into the forwards with confidence - she is one to watch during the course of the season.

It's back on the road for Workington this weekend with a visit to Littleborough and a victory is crucial if they are to rekindle their promotion credentials.

By John Hastings @ The ESG