U15 National Cup Success v West Park Leeds sees girls progress to a regional semi final.
The Girls played probably their best rugby against a strong West Park Leeds side to win 27-5 with 5 tries from Amber Beaty, Caitlin Padgett (2), Charlotte Harnwell and Evie Holme.
From the outset their was a contrast in styles as the more powerful West Leeds team ran strongly through the middle whereas the home team moved the ball to space well to use their pace advantage.
From the start the home teams aggressive defence was on top keeping play in the West Leeds half. Evie was leading the way with strong tackles with Amber and Leila Robinson also prominent.
West Leeds had a strong No8 and the Penrith girls tackled low and well to limit any ground made and scrum half Charlotte stripped the ball well to gain possession. The ball was moved to fly Half Amber who passed and looped Evie then repeated with Leila to then race over wideout for the 1st try.
Back came West Leeds and more impressive tackling form Charlotte, Lili T-P, Sofia Hellevik caused errors. There were quite a few scrums – 8 player contested and the Penrith girls impressed even driving back their opponents who had a weight advantage. Props Chloe Brown and Sofia and hooker Maebh McGrath doing great work at the scrum and Chloe running well in the loose.
The backs were passing well and running onto the ball giving wingers Rebecca Newby, Gracie Siddle chance to make ground.
The defence continued to soak up the Leeds attacks staying connected and communicating well. A rare kick was well collected by Eimhear McGrath at full back who ran 30m to keep the pressure on.
The next score came after Caitlin ran well from the wing from a scrum move with Gracie and Katie Smith continuing the attack, Lili TP fought hard at the breakdown and popped to the dynamic Charlotte who wrested and twisted over the line for the 2nd try.
West Leeds came back and their scrum half made a fine break but the cover defence did its job. West Leeds attacked the breakdown more than other teams have but the Penrith girls worked hard to keep possession. No8 Penny Robinson was next to make good ground and passed to Caitlin who burst through to score from 30m for a 15-0 lead.
West Leeds attacked again, more defensive work and good counter rucking created a turnover and chance to kick clear. Some penalties put them back under pressure before a turnover and determined break from Leila relieved pressure.
The next score was to be their best, under pressure Charlotte again was involved in a turnover and moved the ball to Amber who made ground and kicked, the chase was good and possession regained by Rebecca, the attack was continued into the opposition half and a fine flat pass from centre Leila saw Caitlin burst through to score under the posts for Penny to convert and a 22- 0 half time lead.
The 2nd half started with more defence for Penrith after a knock on from the restart, Becca, Evie, Charlotte and Sofia again to the fore turning the ball over before playing high risk offloading game to make ground with the ball.
More defence – the energy and communication being a real positive, Evie saving a certain try and Katie Smith doing some great turnover work at the tackle as well as running strongly form any penalties. Matilda was having her best game yet as her confidence grows, running strongly and doing lots of good clearing out at the tackle area. Lili TP was next to cover back well and tidy up ball before making 30m, the play was continued with Caitlin passing wide to Jessica Hodgson who was just driven into touch by the away team who were not going to give up.
The 5th try came from a fine Lili TP break, Lily Salmon continued before Charlotte and Amber moved the ball wide to Evie who had the strength to hand off 2 defenders and score.
West Leeds girls continued to work hard, they had some impressive runners and despite more good Penrith defence a determined run saw a well deserved try.
The team work especially in defence was great to see from the Penrith girls, coupled with some fluent attacking play saw them produce their best performance of the season.
They are now into the draw for the Regional Cup Semi final which will be on the 30th of January.
Thanks to coaches Sean Robinson, Joe Brown, reporter Steve Harnwell and photographer Lee Salmon
Special thanks to Referee Craig Price.

Just the one disappointment we lost the Welly Wanging challenge again !!

Squad.
Forwards. Lili Thompson - Parry. Méabh McGrath. Jessica Hodgson. Chloe Brown (scrum leader) Sofia Hellevik. Lily Salmon. Matilda McTear, Katie Smith (breakdown leader) Penny Robinson. (Vice captain Forwards leader)
Backs Charlotte Harnwell. Amber Beaty (Captain attack leader) Rebecca Newby. Leila Robinson, Evie Holme. Caitlin Padgett (defence