Rugby union: Story Cumbria Cup Quarter-Final

Last updated 11:11, Friday, 28 March 2008

Rugby Union: Story Cumbria Cup Quarter-Final. St Benedict's 3, Penrith 47

PENRITH overcame a potential banana skin and moved comfortably past St Benedict’s in the quarter-final of the Story Cumbria Cup.

A 47-3 win at Mirehouse earned the Winters Park side a semi-final trip to play their North One rivals Kendal on April 5.

Facing a strong wind, Penrith had the perfect start, fielding the kick-off and driving their way up-field through a dozen or more phases of play.

It culminated in a miss pass by Steve Wood, a former St Benedict’s player, to send Gavin Young on his way and he sliced open the home defence to score under the posts. Wood, who has kicked many points on the Mirehouse ground, added the conversion.

The Saints came back strongly and with the help of the wind forced Penrith to play in their own 22. They created several half chances before a successful penalty kick at goal from Ryan Fisher closed the gap to 3-7.

For the first quarter of the game, St Benedict’s were very competitive but, as time wore on, Penrith's superior fitness began to tell and they were able to impose themselves on the game.

The visitors missed a chance when a forward pass denied Jonathan Potter a clear run to the line but after half an hour they finally cracked the Saints’ rear guard.

Wood made the break and fed Young with Dan White in support from full-back. A well-timed pass put Joe Nattrass through and he went in at the corner.

Although Saints’ effort never faltered the game as a contest was over at this point with Penrith scoring at regular intervals throughout.

Young scored his second try when he took a short pass on the 22, broke the line and then beat the full-back to score the third try which Wood converted.

The first half ended with Rob Dawson scoring in the corner after a forward drive from a five metre scrum and Wood landed a fine conversion.

Already 26-3 ahead at the break, Penrith scored at the start of the second period after a poor clearance was run back at the home side deep into their own 22.

After the ball was recycled several times, Darren Richardson found the gap to sneak over for the try, again converted by Wood.

Mike Raine picked the ball and drove from number eight at a scrum on the home 22. Mike Stephens continued the run and David Preston was in support to stretch out a long arm over the line for the try which again Wood converted.

Penrith rang the changes as all five travelling replacements were used and the game became a bit disjointed but they managed a final try by Richardson when Saints lost control of the ball at the back of a scrum in their own 22.

Saints have a crunch match on Saturday at De La Salle in the North Lancs Cumbria League.