TYNEDALE missed out on a place in the national final by points difference only.

The club’s U15 Panthers side were tied on points with both Worcester and Newark in the three-way semi-finals of the RFU National Girls’ Cup with one win apiece.

However, despite Tynedale defeating Worcester by two converted tries to nil, it was their opponents going through to the grand showdown as they comfortably beat Newark 29-10.

In the end, it was the Corbridge girls’ slow start which cost them their place, losing 22-7 to Newark in the opening game as they conceded three first half tries.

Yet the feeling of frustration at being just an unconverted away from the grand final will act as inspiration to the North of England champions.

Coach Nick Oliver said: “We came very close to taking the next step, but he had an amazing time and a cracking day out.

“The girls played well but started slowly, but they were absolutely awesome in the second game and it certainly bodes well for the future. “We don’t know who they are playing, but hopefully Worcester will win the final so we can say we beat the best team in the country!

“To be honest, the standard between all three teams was so close and we are pleased to be up there with the best.”

The Panthers travelled to Bury on the back of an injury crisis, and they only had 14 fit players at the beginning of the week.

However, the district’s burgeoning girls’ rugby fraternity rallied, and three players from the triumphant North-East and Cumbria Schools Championships side from Prudhoe High School joined in, as did two pupils from Hexham’s Queen Elizabeth High School and one from Newcastle’s Dame Allan’s School.

Oliver said: “It was great to get a few new players along, and they were incredibly brave to agree to play a national semi-final as their first ever club game! “They will get stronger in time, and it will help with Tynedale’s aim to field full squads at U13, U15 and U18 levels next season.”