IT was joy for the T-Birds as they battled to beat West Park Leeds 26-15 to lift the National Intermediate Cup – their first ever cup triumph.

The T-Birds put their bodies on the line against a West Park Leeds side who may wonder how they lost the showpiece, with the T-Birds forwards proving formidable.

A brace from Sally Tuson plus tries from Natalia Ortega and India Harvey were enough for the T-Birds, who were missing a number of key players, and head coach Dean White said he was proud of his side.

“Winning any national cup is a very hard task especially when you are missing nine players from your squad,” he said. “I gave the team the challenge to go and win the cup as it's the only one missing from our trophy cabinet, and they reacted and did exactly that.

“The team had been training very well over the last few weeks and our defensive work that was covered proved to be the difference on the day. West Park Leeds were physical and really took the game to us.

“The difference in the sides was defence, the girls tackled all day long and we put in some massive hits on the day. We defended at one stage for 10 minutes on our try line which was outstanding. I haven't seen us defend like that for a few seasons and I was a very proud man watching it. The team really did put their bodies on the line for the team and the feeling after was fantastic.”

It was an even start, but the dancing feet of Harvey weaved through to score after 14 minutes, with the conversion added although West Park got their first score on 23 minutes as they crossed the line, but no conversion left them short.

West Park pushed hard and camped on the T-Bird line but their attack lacked a little crispness, with some heroic defence keeping them out.

And a fine intercept allowed Ortega to grab a floated pass and race the length of the pitch

West Park came out for the second half knowing that route one would not work, and they needed something different if they were to win, but a poorly executed cross field kick ultimately cost them the game as Tuson collected the loose ball on her own line and set off, touching down under the posts the conversion brought the score to 19-5 leaving West park needing two converted tries just to draw level.

Park scored next to keep their hopes alive but T’s managed to dig deep and raise their game for their best 10 minutes of the match.

With Jodie Rettie kicking for position, Park were forced to defend for once and were just unable to handle the T-Birds in full flow.

Tuson’s second and the resulting conversion opened up a 16 point gap and the game was won with 15 minutes to go.

West Park kept their heads up and played for pride for the remainder of the match and gained the final try of the game with the last play.

“We started this season knowing it was always going to be a rebuilding season but we have challenged in the league and cup this season losing only twice all season,” added White. “A number of players that have joined the ranks this year have been outstanding and have really worked hard to fit into the way we play. Things are looking bright for this team, we must now keep working hard at training and then push next season for the Premiership.”

T-Birds: Cameron, Tuson, Ortega, Tyler , Harvey, Rettie, Cook, Nichols, Foy, Hepper, French, Franklin, Beard, Prosser, Dyche, Rep: Wheeler, Walsh, Shaw, Cook, Fenn, Edwards, Gallimore

*T-Birds are looking to add new players to their two teams. The second XV now has its own dedicated Coaching and Management team, with beginners encouraged to attend once training resumes in June.