Windermere Warriors put themselves on the brink of winning the RFU Women’s NC Lancashire Merit League by thrashing Preston Grashoppers II 54-26 at Dawes Meadow last Sunday.

On a sunny spring day that was ideal for running rugby, Windermere took the lead in the seventh minute after a tap-and-go penalty from Mhairi Callingham.

Ashley Gobbi then sprinted unchallenged under the posts for their second try before Lucy Branthwaite, who scored 22 points, struck twice to seal the bonus point with plenty of the first half still to play.

Windermere’s backs were breaking through almost at will and Gobbi grabbed her second try before Jo Bucknall broke down the blindside and handed off two tackles to make the score a whopping 42-0 at half-time.

The Warriors and Grasshoppers swapped a few players during the break to try and even up the sides, but this didn’t stop Callingham from claiming her second of the afternoon early in the second half.

Now in a Preston shirt, Branthwaite completed a ‘hat-trick’ of sorts to get the visitors off the mark and she soon struck again.

Bucknall, who had also switched sides, then capitalised on some broken play to score and Preston’s scrum-half had notched as well by the time Branthwaite (back in a Warriors shirt again) completed her treble for the hosts.