Penrith U13 Girls relished the chance to get back on the pitch after recent weather disappointments with an excellent performance - especially in defence.

Big thank you too Kendal RUFC for excellent hosting and allowing use of the 1st XV pitch.
Teams from Netherhall, Keswick ,Kendal (with some Cockermouth girls) provided the opposition for 3 x 20 min matches.
All the teams have continued to improve and this showed as the standard was once again up from pre Xmas festivals.

1st match saw Penrith win 6-3 against Kendal, with Penrith putting in a dominant performance in difficult condition’s on good ground.
Leila Robinson moving the ball well and some excellent off loads and passing off the ground - which was a strength all day - led to Lili TP scoring the first try off the wing.
Debutant Evie Holme scored a brilliant 2nd try bursting through tackles to touch down.
Katie Smith then scored a fantastic individual try, breaking away from nearly her own try line.
The second half saw Jess Graham finish off good teamwork to score the next 2 try’s with the help of mazy runs from Becca Newby and Lexi Clarke.
The last try was a fine team effort with lots of strong forward carries into the wind before Capt Chloe Brown who had made many surge’s through the Kendal defence got her well deserved score.

The 2nd match against a well drilled Keswick side saw both teams work hard and give it all before a late try gave Penrith a win 4-3.
Katie Smith got the team off to a good start as she fought her way through for her second try of the day
Mia getting the 2nd, although small in stature she showed strength and determination to get over the line.
Penrith were being pushed onto their try line, the defence held up well, work in training on staying "connected" and pushing up quickly keeping them at bay until Keswick pressure finally led to their second try.
Penrith answered by seeing a great run by Amber, who passed to Evie who slipped the ball to Chloe to drive strongly over the line.
Aimee Powell- Currie was busy in attack and leading the way with low tackles in defence. Aggressive defence enabled turnovers which gave Amber and Chloe the chance to breakaway and relieve the pressure.
A great 2nd half performance by both teams was finally ended with Evie Holme finishing off more good teamwork for her 2nd try.

Penrith’s biggest battle was to come against old rivals Netherhall who had several big strong ball carriers and pacey runners.
The cold wind continued to blow and from an awkward kick off a magic catch and run by Mia Fawcett had the supporters cheering her down the wing to score.
A beautiful chip and run from Amber allowed Lili TP to score the next try then possession was moved wide for Lexie to accelerate away to score.
Netherhall then had alot of possession on the Penrith line but some fantastic team work drove back their bigger opponents before they finally reached over for a score. Amber then took advantage of some confusion near the Netherhall line to dot down for a try after a Becca run had got them close.
The defensive team work continued and there was a real hunger for ripping the ball from the opposition, Leila leading the way to give Lili TP space to score.
A well timed and determined run by Amber then saw her run clean through the defence to touch down.
Netherhall came back into the game with Penrith indiscipline - high tackles especially giving them field position which they took advantage of to score 2 tries. Jess continued to make ground with her carries and she added the last try.

Squad
Chloe Brown (Capt) Amber Beaty (V/Capt) , Summer Goodwin, Lexie Clark, Leila Robinson, Lili Thompson- Parry, Rebecca Newby, Aimee Powell - Currie, Evie Holme, Mia Fawcett, Scarlett Turnbull, Katie Smith, Jess Graham.

Thanks to;
Managers
Audrey Turnbull, Lindsey Robinson
Match reporter - Will Thompson
and parents for support.

Nigel