PICTURE SPECIAL: Windermere Warriors impress on women's rugby stage

WINDERMERE Warriors continued their fast development in the world of women's rugby with a hard-fought match against Novocastrians.

The Novos travelled across from Newcastle to face a team playing only their third game after sprouting from nothing at the end of last year.

Once again, the Warriors started brightly, taking the game to the visitors.

With both sides relatively evenly-matched, it was end-to-end play, with neither managing to put the final play together to cross the line.

It was with almost the last play of the first quarter that the visitors managed to work an overlap and score in the corner.

In the second quarter, the Novos forwards set up a second try with a positive drive from five yards out to increase their lead.

Warriors replied and, after a good spell in the Novocastrians half, worked an overlap, with Francheska Morsburgh going over for their first try in the corner, having threatened to do so a few times earlier.

The third quarter saw multiple substitutions from both sides and the more experienced Novos bench certainly made a positive impact, running in a further two tries with some positive drives from the forwards and powerful running along the line.

Credit goes to the Windermere defence, who tackled heroically as they were under pressure, stopping further scores.

The final quarter saw the Warriors up their game again.

The line-out, which had been excellent all day, secured good ball, which the forwards used well to set up and release the backs.

After two cross-field phases and an individual run around the Novos pack and backs, winger Morsburgh crossed the line in the corner to the delight of the 100-plus crowd.

Novos replied with another try, with their experience of playing together for the past three seasons telling.

Lucy Hewitt, Jess Hebson, Amy Wigley, Jess Tanseli and player-of-the-match Morsburgh all impressed for Windermere.

The Warriors hold weekly training sessions at Dawes Meadow, Windermere, on Wednesdays, starting at 6.30pm.

The team are in the process of arranging their next fixtures.