On a cold but clear day at Boroughhmuir six Cockermouth players took to the field as part of a North East regional team. Unfortunately only 7 players were available from the North Eastern teams and so all six of the Cockermouth girls took their places in the front row (3), at flanker, scrum half and fly half. From the off the ability of the Scottish squad and their pace in the backs proved decisive as they ran in quick tries. Rolling substitutions for the Scots enabled a continued supply of fresh legs, which enhanced their superiority, and an injury to the visitors on 15 minutes saw them down to 12 players.
This forced a change of tactics and the North East utilized the powerful Cockermouth forwards, Charlotte Hodgson, Fiona McKay and Eloise Stott, who, along with their back row colleagues, worked tirelessly to recycle the ball at the ruck and move it up field. Against an International team this was always going to be a tough strategy but was enough to get the North East to within inches of the try line on several occasions with the ball being held up by the Scottish defence to deny a try.
On one such foray to the Scottish 5metre line Charlotte Hodgson saw her chance and drove for the line but was stopped short, only inches away, as she reached out to ground the ball. The Scottish defence was put under pressure by the visitors and resorted to box kicks on several occasions to get them out of trouble but their line out was not secure as Cockermouth props Hodgson and Stott disrupted and took at least one Scottish throw.
 As expected the front row were strong in the scrum with hooker Fiona McKay taking one against the head and causing Scotland constant problems. They were ably supported by quick hands from Scrum half Gill Todd and tireless support from Emma Sutton who continually sniped around the fringes of the ruck and kept the ball moving forward for the front row three to ruck the ball up field.
When Scotland had possession they moved the ball quickly out wide to use their pace and experience to breach the defence on several occasions and keep the scoreboard moving in their favour. Pace and good covering tackling from Cockermouth’s Clare Condron saved certain tries on at least three occasions and her defensive work when not in possession caused a series of errors that, unfortunately for the North East, Scotland were able to recover from.
The International quality of the home team was always going to dictate the winning of the game but the North East battled bravely and never gave up for the entire game. All six of the Cockermouth girls played well and were not out of place in a regional side formed from teams that have been established for many years.
Despite losing the game the coaches were pleased with the performance of the Cumbrian girls and reminded them that they had acquitted themselves admirably against International opposition despite two of them only joining the regional team this weekend.
The performance bodes well for girls rugby at Cockermouth and the club, coaches and players alike should feel proud of their efforts.
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