31/10 Women 1st XV 25 - Rosslyn Park II 10
October 31, 2008
Rosslyn Park II 10 – Newbury 25 26th October 2008
Newbury Womens First XV out sized a smaller Rosslyn Park. Newbury’s forwards tested Rosslyn early on, with plenty of fringe play, punching holes through their stripy red defence, carrying well and making good ground in phases before spinning it out to the backs.
It was still a no score stale mate about 20 minutes in with Park absorbing the pressure well. Newbury were quilty of silly mistakes at breakdowns and gave away possession as the wet weather caused several knock-ons.
A penalty, pretty much on the centre spot started a move for Newbury that would get their first points on the board. With the kick to touch skipper Bryony Clow facing right noticed Winger Jo Hampton far left, a perfectly placed cross kick to the left hand corner was met by the winger on the move, great support play followed as tackles from Rosslyn went in, Newbury popped off time and time again until a ruck was formed on the 5 metre. Clow had followed the kick and was there to pick and barrel her way over the line for the first of Newbury’s five unconverted tries.
From the restart Newbury now rose in confidence, although Rosslyn almost equalised immediately. A scrum was awarded to Rosslyn, and with some quick hands they ran wide avoiding contact. From 22 to 22 their winger looked set to score, however, centre Emma Button closed down the break away opposition and was smartly supported by ‘fit as a butcher’s dog’ hooker Steph Clark. Together they slowed the game down enough for Newbury to reorganise. From then on Newbury spent the rest of the half camped in Rosslyn Park’s half. Everybody wanted a piece of the action, punching holes through the Rosslyn defence, securing quick ball from the ruck, the back line demonstrating good hands out wide. The second try came to Bonnie Hubbard on her debut, another pick and go on the line capitalised on ten minutes of solid attacking work from Newbury.
The second half started well for Rosslyn with an experienced fly half super-sub and they started to make ground rapidly. Under pressure some of Newbury’s novice players began to make forgivable mistakes. Newbury were repeatedly penalised for high tackles, not using the back door and dragging down mauls. After being warned new recruit and awesome tackler Kelly Sue Leitch’ took one for the team’ and sat out for 10 minutes. Rosslyn Park kept coming, one try attempt was held up but eventually Rosslyn barrelled over an unconverted try.
Shortly after the restart and a man down, good hands reached Emma Button on the left wing as she made a solo break just before the half way line to score Newbury’s third try. This was followed by some excellent team work with backs mauling and players that have just started playing rugby this season steeling ball in the lineout. In the last ten minutes, Newbury never stopped wanting, with the majority territory and possession, Jo Hampton took the score to 10-20 as a series of driving mauls sucked in the Rosslyn defence under the post and Hampton, fresh back from injury, went wide for her first of the season.
In the final five minutes, Rosslyn tired and gave away a succession of penalties in their half, quick thinking caught them not retired ten, twice, and easy ground was made towards Rosslyn’s try line with prop Kim Myers taking the third pick and go try of the afternoon just before the whistle.
The Bluebirds, with two wins from three are looking strong this season, but this doesn’t happen without the commitment from new players and the old timers. We’re still looking for women to join the fun. We train on Wednesdays and play on Sundays – there’s nothing quite like it.
Tries
Bryony Clow 1
Bonnie Hubbard 1
Emma Button 1
Kim Meyers 1
Jo Hampton 1
Comments
Got something to say?