	Cockermouth vs Penrith County Cup Semi Final 16th March

	Cockermouth 15 Penrith 12

	Cockermouth played hosts to Penrith in the semi final of the County Cup for under 13’s. The weather did not favour either side and it was Cockermouth who seemed to have the upper hand taking the game to Penrith. The home forwards drove at the Penrith line and seemed to have them firmly on the back foot, but loose handling from Cockermouth gave possession to Penrith and they made it tell in their first attack when the center out paced the home defense to score a try in the corner. Undaunted Cockermouth went back at Penrith and played the next 10 minutes in the visitor’s half continually putting them under pressure but unable to make it pay. However a series of loose passes told as the Penrith center gathered and ran from their 22 to score a try, which was converted. Cockermouth shook themselves down and ran at Penrith, their sustained pressure forcing an error. At the resulting scrum on their own 5 meter line Penrith were unable to control the ball and it shot out of the back for Ashley Friel to gather it and drive through two tackles to score a deserved try. The second half saw Cockermouth apply pressure to Penrith in both territory and possession. Strong running from the forwards, James Hunter, Adam Brough and Jack Mason, allowed the backs to have more room. This resulted in Jack Gaskell being able to penetrate the Penrith defensive line and score. This changed the momentum of the game and Cockermouth pushed forward, driving at the Penrith line. Josh Shepherd and Toby Meek were able to make strong runs and cause problems for Penrith. As the game entered the last few minutes the intensity and pace increased with Cockermouth applying pressure. The ball was eventually spilled and from the ruck hooker Peter Edwards managed to turn the Penrith player. The ball was played out to Greg Jones who sprinted for the corner. He brushed off a tackler and dived for the line to score the try that took Cockermouth in to the lead. With only minutes left Penrith pushed on but some stout tackling from Kieran Todhunter and Jason Hill slowed them down and thus enabled Cockermouth to play out the remaining time to win the tie; 15 - 12.