Windermere 37 - 27 Moresby

THREE late tries earned Windermere victory in the opening fixture of Cumbria 1 against Moresby at Dawes Meadow on Saturday.

Having missed a first minute penalty, Jim Crawford put up a high kick from half way which was chased and fielded by new hooker Joe Turner.

He was dragged down a couple of feet from the line, but thoughtfully laid the ball on for winger Moses Dawson to drop over the line.

Five minutes later, a Windermere counter attack went through three quick phases and ended up in the hands of Dawson again, who had more work to do this time as he jinked through to score.

Moresby came back into the game in spirited fashion, resulting in two kicked penalties, a yellow card for a Moresby flanker and a half time score of 10 - 6.

'Mere started the second half well, but two clear scoring opportunities went begging through errors and Moresby were first to score as their No.8 picked up from the base of a scrum and drove over impressively under the posts for a converted try.

Windermere came back with a penalty to tie the score, but Moresby capitalised on some slack Windermere play to intercept a long pass and their inside centre cantered in under the posts. 13 - 20.

Windermere struck back with 10 minutes to go as a lineout ball was spread to the wing and hooker Turner showed up to create an extra man and drive through the Moresby winger's tackle and sprint in to score in a kickable position.

Straight from the kickoff, Moresby attacked and what seemed to be a moment of indecision by the Moresby 10 split the Windermere defence and he exploited the gap to score.

With just eight minutes to go and nine points to make up, Windermere showed great character to put everything into the last few minutes.

Their tenacity was rewarded with three tries, including two from Rory Hodgson, in quick succession as the Moresby defence, which had been so vigorous for 75 minutes seemed to crumble.