Rugby Union: Littleborough Ladies 47 – 10 Winnington Park

Summer Harris supported by Melissa Rigg

Littleborough Ladies progressed to the national stage of the Junior Cup competition with a comprehensive 47-10 victory over league rivals Winnington Park on Sunday (16 December).

The ladies are the only remaining team from the Women's NC North 2 West division left in the competition as Workington lost narrowly at York.

The game was reduced to a 12-a-side match with the visitors only having 13 players, refusing the offer of borrowing players from Littleborough. This resulted in last minute changes to team selection for the Pink Warriors, with the previous night’s Christmas antics having a bearing too.

Home side Littleborough started well and were in control by building a 19-point lead before Winnington Park finally crossed for an unconverted try. Littleborough did respond to extend the lead to 26-5 at half time.

In the second half, Littleborough lost their way with the changes made at half time, as Nantwich-based Winnington Park took control and held the lion’s share of possession.

Resilient defence from the Pink Warriors kept the visitors bay, even when reduced to 11 with a yellow card.

Eventually, a kick from Littleborough, from their 22 following a scrum, gave opportunity for the Winnington Park winger to catch on the full in space, and return it for a try out wide.

Determined not to give the opposition a sniff, Coach Chris Coop again rung the changes to give the team fresh impetus and it had the desired effect as Littleborough gained control again with three more tries to cap off a big performance – and win to boot.

There was a welcome return from injury from Harriet Widdup, who made an impressive barnstorming run, and was also denied a try from a high tackle that led to a penalty try award.

Youngster Olivia Turner produced a mammoth performance in the pack as forward of the day while her fellow rookie, Summer Harris, was the star player of the match with a terrific performance that included two long range tries.

Other try scorers included Samantha Brazier, Claire Sutcliffe Jones, Louise Rigg and Megan Dickinson who registered her eleventh try of a highly productive season.

Full back Claire Sutcliffe recorded an impressive 83% kicking percentage in an afternoon that saw her kick five goals.