On a wonderful Spring Day. Kirkby Lonsdale's Underley Park was a hive of activity featuring U11 & U12 Youth Fixtures, local derby's against Vale of Lune for the 1st & 2nd XV's and the Women's County Cup Final 2015.

The latter being in only its 2nd year, with Carlisle running out comfortable winners in 2014 against an inexperienced Kendal side in their 1st year of playing. Kendal from the moment they kicked off looked determined that lightning was not going to strike twice. After their defeat to Gloucester Hartpury Ladies a week earlier, the Wasps looked like they meant business with an efficient start against a power packed Carlisle Team.

In the early exchanges the Wasps managed to break free through their impressive running full back Sarah Simpson to score a converted try. The Carlisle team were extremely industrious and their experienced forwards carried hard led by the ever impressive Lucy Meadley and backed up well by her teammates. Lisa Richie playing at Fly Half also got the Cougars into some great positions with her boot, but the Cougars were unable to capitalise thanks to a water tight Kendal defence. The Kendal Ladies did add a further score before Carlisle made their power count with a great converted score under the posts.

The rest of the 1st half followed this pattern with a real arm wrestle of a game developing. The two sides played contrasting rugby with Kendal playing some open and fast flowing rugby enabling them to get on the outside of Carlisle, where as the City side preferred to attack close quarters around the fringes. This meant at half time there was very little between the teams, setting up an exciting 2nd half.

The 2nd half proved to be just as exciting from the off with Carlisle making some powerful runs and trusting their strong set piece. However Kendal were able to stem the majority of power plays and Bryoni Bland put in an outstanding effort in both attack and defence turning over a number of balls and making some telling runs. Carlisle produced some excellent front foot ball which enabled Ashley Lloyd to provide Ritchie with clean ball to attack with, this in turn released the power of Hannah Sherlock who made some big dents in the Kendal back line.

Both teams scored some excellent tries with a couple of strong individual efforts from Vanessa Temple whose searing pace would cause the tightest of defences no end of trouble. The boot of Kendal Fly Half Abby Bland who was awarded the Player of the Match Award by Cumbria RFU Representative John Rogers kept the Cougars just out of reach. Carlisle scored another strong try with all 15 players contributing to good field position and eventually breaching the 'Kendal Wall'. With the score now 32-26 to the Wasps and only a few minutes left to play it looked like the cup would be making its way to South Lakes.

The final whistle blew and the Kendal players both on and off the field ran to a huddle to congratulate one another on their achievements, this certainly made up for the disappointment of 7 days previous and that is the beauty of sport. The Cougars also spoke to each other but were first to form the tunnel and clap off their opponents and offer congratulations despite their disappointment.

Kendal were worthy winners on the day and played a good all round game of Rugby. Their coaching team were rightly proud of the teams achievements over the past 2 years.

Carlisle coach Ally Little now has her choice of the players on show, plus a few extras to play in her County Squad who take on Lancashire, Northumberland and Durham in this years County Programme.

The presentation was completed outside in the glorious sunshine and on hand to present medals and the trophy was Cumbria RFU Representative John Rogers.

An extra bonus to the day was that Cumbria were in possession of the Women's Rugby World Cup which was proudly displayed in the Wilman Room at Kirkby. Post game both sets of players had their photos taken with the trophy to complete an excellent day.

Thanks go to the Kirkby Lonsdale Club for their hosting of the event and in particular Kim Bradshaw who coordinated the efforts of the club. Thanks to The Referee Stephen Elliott and his assistants and to all the supporters, many new to the Women's game and suitably impressed by the efforts of all.

It would be remiss to not acknowledge the efforts of the whole membership of the Kirkby Lonsdale Club who organised and delivered one of the most memorable days of rugby for everyone involved. Taking a step back and seeing a community club like this pull together and deliver the quality they did today is exceptional and the reason why rugby union is such a fantastic game!