Furness win against Creighton in front of a big crowd at Strawberry Grounds

The Furness team also had a different look to the team that played at Whitehaven last Saturday, and it was particularly pleasing to see Rhys Studt and Ethan Guy turning out again after lengthy absences.

Referee Dan Shovelton got proceedings under way assisted by two well padded linesmen in the shape of John Rogers and Roger Moffatt. Furness started strongly and it was no surprise when number 8 Will Mallinson went over for the home side’s first try of the day from a 5 metre scrum. Stand off George Smith’s conversion made the score 7 – 0 to Furness after seven minutes played. Creighton were right back into the game however, with their determined tackling frustrating the Furness game plan, but missed an opportunity to pull three points back when a penalty 30 metres out went wide.

For their part Furness ran the ball whenever the opportunity presented itself and whilst it didn’t always come off, one foray into the Creighton half resulted in a scrum to the visitors 35 metres from their line from which Furness scored their second try of the afternoon when hooker Ben Hughes intercepted the scrum half’s attempted pass, and just managed to get over the line before the cover got him. Another successful conversion by Smith made the score 14 – 0 with 25 minutes on the clock. It was all Furness at this stage with second row Brad Williamson making some particularly forceful runs through the middle and full back Studt running from deep.

Perhaps Furness took their foot off the throttle but they were soon reminded they were in a game when Creighton, from their first attack of the afternoon, went over after a couple of soft tackles followed by a chip ahead. The conversion made the score 14 – 7. Furness were soon back into their stride however and almost had a third try when number 8 Mallinson looked to be clear but rather than go on his own threw a long pass out wide to Guy which unfortunately went to ground. With half time approaching Mallinson broke off the back of a scrum 25 metres out resulting in captain Corne Els scoring from short distance. The conversion proved too much for Smith. Half time, Furness 19 Creighton 7.

The second half started as the first had finished with most of the play taking place in Creighton’s half of the pitch but just as it appeared that Furness were about to score their fourth try of the game a lost ball 20 metres from the Creighton line allowed Creighton to fly hack the ball through and just when it looked as though Studt would be able to avert the danger he got his feet in a tangle allowing the Creighton winger to touch down. The missed conversion made the score 19 – 12 to the home side. Furness’s lead was whittled back even further a few minutes later when a successful penalty put them only four points behind with over 30 minutes still to play. Order was soon restored however when Mallinson picked up a loose Creighton pass and flicked it on to Smith for his first, and Furness’s fourth and bonus point try of the day.Smith duly converted his own try – 26- 15.

Furness were now back into their stride and it wasn’t long before another try ensued following a tidy midfield break by centre Josh Banham who offloaded to Smith for his second try. The conversion made it a successful afternoon for Smith with 18 points to his name. Furness’s last try effectively finished the game and very little happened in the final ten minutes that merits reporting, so final score Furness 33 Creighton 15. A lot better than last week but still work to do, not least, dare it be suggested, on fitness, with a few players, who shall remain nameless, blowing out of their backsides threequarters of the way through the game.

A good team performance nevertheless with every man playing his part.

A good afternoon off the pitch as well with a decent sized crowd and a number of the club’s sponsors managing to get down for the game. Long may it continue.