On Sunday 20 November the Penrith Under 13 team welcomed the Egremont Under 13 team in the first round of the County Cup. Based upon previous matches between the two sides the large crowd were expecting a tough encounter and hopes were high for an exciting match.

The Penrith nerves were settled right from the start when David Whittle caught the Egremont kick off and ran through to score an immediate try which was converted by Patrick Noutch. From the re-start it was apparent that Egremont were determined to battle hard for every ball and the match settled into a physical game. The Penrith forwards stood up to the challenges offered by their opponents and each one showed great determination at the rucks and mauls and were eager to carry the ball forward to gain ground. The Egremont team always seemed capable of breaking through to score but the defence held firm and some strong tackling throughout the team enabled the Penrith backs the freedom to make a few strong runs into the opposition territory. It was not long before one of these runs was rewarded with a try and David Whittle again managed to get the ball across the line. This was followed by another score, this time by Patrick Noutch who showed strong support play and was put through after a scintillating run by Myles Harrop. Patrick Noutch converted his own try to further build a lead for the home side. Surging running from the forwards, especially Liam Trevaskis, Lewis Birkbeck, Ben Dixon and Thomas Graves drove the Penrith team forward before captain, Adam Howe powered over from close range to score again for the home side. The half drew to a close with the Penrith backs demonstrating quick feet and hands to release David Whittle to add to his prolific try-scoring record to give the home team a 29 point lead at half time.

After the half time break the Egremont team continued to battle well and proved to be eager to get on the score sheet but this was equally matched by the home team’s determination to keep them at bay. A period of resolute defence by the Penrith team was relieved when a break by Keegan Shaw took the ball to within inches of the visitors try line and Alex Pantechis was on hand to finish off the move with another try for Penrith. The Egremont team never gave up, however, and eventually their persistence was justly rewarded as they managed to drive over in the corner to score a try of their own. Undaunted, the Penrith players showed great determination through to the end of the match and the whole team, especially Freddie Pritchard, Adam Cutting, Syd Ellwood, Nathan Hamilton and Thomas Graham, continued to battle well to deny their opponents any opportunity to establish a platform from which they could build an attack and with full-back, Ellis Hook dealing well with the occasional kick through from Egremont the home team dominated the final period of the game. As a result the ever-dangerous David Whittle was able to add to the Penrith total with two further tries as the game drew to a close to make the final score 44 – 5 in favour of the home team.

Despite the score the Egremont team presented a strong physical challenge and played entertaining rugby for large periods of the game. However, on the day the Penrith team showed great cohesion and each player within the squad carried out their tasks with determination and effectiveness to result in perhaps the best team performance so far this season.

The Penrith squad consisted of: Patrick Bennett, Lewis Birkbeck, Thomas Broadhead, Greg Cameron, Adam Cutting, Ben Dixon, Syd Ellwood, Euan Gillespie, Thomas Graham, Thomas Graves, Nathan Hamilton, Myles Harrop, Ellis Hook, Adam Howe, Will Melling, Patrick Noutch, Alex Pantechis, Freddie Pritchard, Keegan Shaw, Joseph Tidmarsh, Liam Trevaskis, David Whittle.