Francheska Horsburgh scored a hat-trick, as Windermere Warriors maintained their stunning form in this season’s RFU Women’s NC Lancashire Merit League by hammering Fleetwood Women 66-0 last Sunday.

It was a fifth win out of five games for the Warriors, who extended their lead at the top of the table to six points after running in ten tries in total against their overwhelmed visitors at Dawes Meadow.

Windermere instantly put the pressure on Fleetwood by winning a scrum in their 22, which led to prop Bianca Cousin charging over the line to opening the scoring.

With the visitors pinned in their own half, a second try soon followed through Jo Bucknall, who almost straight from the restart made another impressive break before allowing Katie Edgar to go in under the posts.

The bonus point was secured five minutes before half-time, as the ball went through several pairs of hands following a penalty before Lucy Branthwaite finished the move with a weaving run to the line.

There was still time for another score before the break as Horsburgh marked her return to the side by brushing off the tacklers to score.

Branthwaite, who also kicked eight conversions to finish with a personal haul of 26 points, then claimed her second try two minutes into the second half with a turbo-charged run from halfway.

From the restart, the ball was fed to Horsburgh, who crossed the whitewash again thanks to some impressive direct running before No.8 Rachel Thwaites went over to bring up the half-century.

With five minutes to go, Horsburgh completed her hat-trick when the Warriors seized on a loose ball and worked the ball along the line for her to step inside and go clear again.

Try number ten came right on the final whistle, as a wonderful move was finished off by Laura Stevenson.

Windermere Warriors are holding a fun and fitness taster session next Wednesday from 6.30-8pm at the club, which is open to all comers, with no previous experience necessary.