The anguish of bitter defeat at Winnington Park last week was wiped out with the taste of sweet victory as Workington Zebra Finches overcame the hitherto unbeaten Upper Eden Eagles 17 – 5 at The Ellis in a tough and keenly fought encounter.

On the third anniversary of the loss of former Finches player Nicola Wilson, a minute’s silence was impeccably observed before kick-off and the match was dedicated to her memory.

Early dominance by the Finches meant that it was only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken and captain Charlotte Cammack did just that on 7 minutes when she finished off a good all round pass and move surge by crashing over the whitewash for an unconverted try.

For the record, this was the first Finches league try scored at The Ellis since Claire Pooley against Littleborough in March 2020 – 609 days ago.

The Finches began to step up a gear and on 20 minutes Grace Weston snaffled the ball from a stray pass and zipped in like a hungry wasp to dart over and double the lead, with Elsa Whelan added the conversion to make it 12 – 0.

Weston added her second try ten minutes later when her slick movements flummoxed the Eagles opposition and she proceeded to cruise
over to make it 17 – 0. Whelan was very unlucky to see her conversion attempt fall painfully short.

By this time, the visitors were just about hanging on – but then they finally started to make neat. swift inroads into Finches territory and shortly before the interval came perilously close to grabbing their first try but Whelan was on hand to palm the ball away just in time.

The second half began with Workington coming close three times to increasing their lead with Cammack, Weston and Lauren Wilkinson all being thwarted at the crucial moment by desperate but doughty tackling from Upper Eden.

Once again, the Eagles gained confidence and after a period of domination in their opponents’ half, their determination paid off on 64 minutes when Liz Ostle took advantage of slack marking and coasted home to score a well taken try, albeit unconverted.

Clearly stung by this breach, the Finches were determined not to throw the match away and for the rest of the half, proceeded to employ a policy of containment with the alert and vibrant Whelan ever present to sweep away danger and Weston effortlessly demonstrating that her gamekeeping was on a quality par with her earlier poaching of two tries.

The front row was just as equally uncompromising, with the ever vocal Cammack leading the way while Hannah Thornbery, Fiona McKay and Rose Ann Cleaton continued to roll back the years and Beth Adams proved to be a consistent menace to the Eagles at all times with her tireless, clinical efficiency. Indeed, it was a good all round team performance.

Victory for Workington was secured on the final whistle and their second win in three games moves them up to third in North 2 West, one above Upper Eden, who to their credit never gave up and on this performance, they will be joining Workington as candidates for promotion.

Next up for the Finches after a week’s break is a visit to Trafford MetroVic on 7th November.

By John Hastings @ The ESG.