Windermere Warriors sealed the RFU Women’s NC Lancashire Merit League title last Sunday, as Rachel Thwaites' late try gave them a dramatic 28-24 victory at Colne & Nelson.

The Warriors needed just a point from this top-of-the-table clash to make certain of top spot and they started the sharpest in the bright but windy conditions in Lancashire.

They opened the scoring after 15 minutes when Bianca Cousins bound on to Jo Bagnall to help her colleague over the try line, with Lucy Branthwaite converting.

That was the only score of a tight first half, but Colne hit back after starting the second half brightly, as a move following a quickly-taken penalty led to the ball being grounded in the corner.

The hosts then turned the game around when their full back run through a broken field for a converted try that put Windermere 12-7 behind.

The match continued to twist and turn as the Warriors hit back when Katy Edgar ran in after collecting off the back of a scrum before Branthwaite's score extended their lead to 21-12.

It was then Colne's turn to dominate when some strong running from their full back and right winger led to them scoring in the corner before the hosts were awarded a penalty try.

However, Windermere fittingly had the final word, with some relentless attacking resulting in Thwaites crashing through the line off the final play.