Windermere 13, St Benedicts 13

WINDERMERE threw away an opportunity to open their league programme with a valuable home win over one of the stronger clubs in the Cumbria division.

After falling behind to an early try and conversion, they had fought back to lead 13-7 as the match entered the final quarter.

But with their forwards beginning to win an always hard and abrasive battle up front, Windermere conceded two late penalties which enabled St Benedicts to salvage a draw.

Having outscored the opposition by two tries to one, Windermere can take encouragement from this match, but they must tighten-up their game in defence and stop giving away needless penalties through disputing decisions.

Even more importantly they must cut out mistakes with careless handling and wrong options in and around their own 22.

On the plus side, Windermere showed plenty of spirit and commitment which deserve to bring results as the season progressses.

Windermere began in positive mood and stretched the visitors' defence with some good driving forward play in the opening minutes.

St Benedicts settled down and began to threaten with some penetrating running from their backs.

The visitors should have scored from one attack with half a dozen players handling in a defence-splitting move covering half the length of the pitch only to be denied a try through a forward pass.

After 29 minutes, however, St Benedicts opened out again and this time Ian Watson scored a good try with Mark Ryan adding the conversion.

After some fiery forward exchanges, first Simon Thomas and then James gregg were sin-binned together with a st Benedict's prop, but a penalty goal from Danny Blenkharn put Windermere on the scoresheet.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, a long kick by Mark Gillespie put the visitors under pressure.

Winger Chris Lightburn won the ball and from his chip over the defence, Jeremy Wood gathered to score in the corner and give Windermere the lead.

Windermere came under pressure after this but the pack rose to he challenge with some good play led by James Gregg, Simon Thomas, Jon Hodgson and Danny Blenkharm.

The game appeared to have been won when full back Simon Cole thrust over for a try near the corner-flag but then the mistakes crept in under pressure.

Ryan kicked his two match-saving penalty goal before tmepers flared again and Windermere finished a player short as Chris Lightburn was shown the red card.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Windermere travel into West Cumbria with Moresby providing the opposition in another league fixture.