Furness 12 Windermere 14

WINDERMERE took the spoils from the South Cumbrian derby at the Strawberry Grounds as a late James Crawford penalty stole the points from Furness.

The hosts had gone ahead with just three minutes left on the clock, but Windermere were awarded a penalty with less than 60 seconds remaining and Crawford did the business from 30 metres out.

In conditions which could barely have been worse for watching rugby, a hardy crowd gathered to see a to-and-fro battle in driving rain and gusting winds.

The match started well for Furness as they mounted a vigorous attack from the kick-off and maintained a presence in the Windermere 22 for the first 10 minutes.

A desperate Windermere defence came offside and Furness decided to eschew the opportunity for three points and kick for the corner.

A quirky lineout move proved unsuccessful, but the ball was spread to the middle of the pitch and, after several phases, Dillon Taputu proved too slippery to tackle as he scored near the posts, with Steve Perry’s concversion making it 7-0.

In spite of numerous attacks from both sides, the weather played its part. Mere dominated the set-piece, while Furness showed flair in the backs, but even the most promising moves ended with handling errors and the score remained the same until half-time.

The visitors turned around with the slope and wind in their favour. Within two minutes of the second half kick-off, they won a scrum 10 metres from the Furness line.

A quick pick up at the base of the advancing scrum from number eight John Sheasby see him feed Hodgson on the outside, who went in for the try. Crawford’s conversion missed the target, leaving the Blues 7-5 up.

Windermere attacked again and a recklessly high tackle from Furness’s Craig McKinnon resulted in a yellow card and a successful attempt at goal by skipper Crawford to give them a single-point lead.

Mere were then reduced to 14 men for a yellow card offence, but despite this a further penalty for the visitors on 70 minutes stretched their lead to four points at 11-7.

Windermere were reduced to 13 men for the final five minutes following another indiscretion, and Furness took advantage. With just three minutes left to play, a fluffed pass back from a defensive scrum saw the ball bobble in the mud and Rhys Studt seized his opportunity to snaffle it and score wide out.

Crucially, the conversion went astray, giving the home side only a single-point lead.

That was to prove crucial and the Furness celebrations premature as Windermere recovered the kick-off and drove down the pitch.

Their attack was halted about 30 metres from the Furness line, but referee Jason Brown deemed it was done illegally and Windermere’s only option with seconds remaining was to kick for goal.

Crawford stepped up and stroked the ball between the posts. There was just time for the kick-off and for the ball to be put into touch before the referee blew for time.

Defeat sees Furness drop to fourth in the Cumbria League, while Windermere remain fifth. Mere take on Creighton at home this week, while Furness have a week off.