Workington Finches have been denied an opportunity to improve their position in NC 2 North (West) with Sunday’s game postponed.
The Finches had been due to take on Preston Grasshoppers Ladies at the Ellis but the opposition are unable to field a team.
Freezing temperatures might have put off the game in any case but Preston made the call on Thursday to say they were unable to find sufficient players to make the trip to West Cumbria.
But the Finches have fixed up another game. They will travel for a friendly to play Penrith Panthers on their artificial surface at Winters Park (ko 3pm).
The Zebras men’s side would dearly love to follow in the successful boot tracks of the Finches but they have had a dismal start to the 2024/25 season.
However after seven successive league defeats in Counties 1 Cumbria, Workington finally tasted victory – albeit in a friendly – as they got the better of Aspatria Eagles 50-28 at The Ellis.
Originally, this was to have been a League fixture, but with Aspatria resigning from the competition (and thus wiping out Workington’s opening day victory against them), it was agreed to play this as a friendly, thus ensuring much needed game time for both teams.
It’s a worn out phrase, but this really was a game of two halves as Workington raced into a 36-14 by the break with attractive, free flowing rugby and Aspatria responding likewise in the second half as they never gave up, despite staring down the barrel of defeat.
Workington scored eight tries – including a hat-trick from Josh Partridge, while there were highly impressive debuts from Michael Graham. Ross McQuire and Matt Lanigan, nephew of former Zebras captain Ben.
Graham was named Man of The Match for his tireless efficiency and unflinching determination throughout the 80 minutes.
Aspatria can take pride of their contribution – especially in the second half, when Steven Stoddart was conducting proceedings with ridiculous ease. Hopefully it will be an indication that they can regroup, recruit and return next season to competitive rugby.
Victory for the Zebras will provide a long overdue boost of much-needed confidence ahead of the rest of their league campaign, which resumes on November 30 when they travel to Keswick.
Another game called off is the friendly between Windermere and Wigton 2nds tomorrow because of the weather.
