Windermere 28-Ambleside 9.

WINDERMERE recovered from a poor first half to outplay Ambleside in the Powergen Junior Vase at Dawes Meadow on Saturday but need to work hard to tighten up their game.

Looking lethargic and completely disorganised, they allowed Ambleside to dominate play for most of the first half and were lucky to change ends with a one-point lead.

The quick and well-drilled Ambleside forwards took charge from the start, dominating possession and allowing their backs to run the ball at the home defence.

Somehow Windermere kept their line intact but made mistakes under the sustained pressure and Steve Dixon kicked three penalty goals.

Windermere gradually came more into the game but struggled to retain what little possession they won and while the home backs looked threatening, far too many loose passes prevented moves from developing.

After 26 minutes, however, winger Ian Balmer did well to hold on to a high pass and force his way over for a try in the corner.

Almost unbelievably, Windermere dithered so long over their choice of a kicker the referee finally waved them away.

The Ambleside pack seemed to be running out of steam as half time approached and when they were penalised for lack of discipline, Danny Blenkharn took a tap penalty to make ground before moving the ball wide with Jeremy Wood squeezing in at the corner for Windermere's second try, which gave the home side the lead.

From the start of the second half, it looked a completely different game with Windermere now going forward and finding holes in the Ambleside defence.

Paul Rennison, who had been outstanding alongside Danny Blenkharn in the Windermere back row, was switched to centre as an injury to Ian Balmer forced them to reorganise their back line.

He immediately made the break for Windermere' s third try, twice figuring in an attack before taking Simon Cole's pass to dive over the line.

Richard Rigg added two penalty goals as Ambleside struggled to keep Windermere out.

But the visitors were now looking a demoralised team and shortly before the end, Paul Rennison burst through for another try, drop-kicking the conversion to complete the scoring.