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Sun 16 Oct 2022 ·  Women's NC 2 Midlands (Central)
Rugby Lionesses Ladies
Ladies Team
7
14
Tries: S Lanham, K WilsonConversions: S Lanham (2)
Rugby Lionesses 7-14 St Neots Ladies
Nicki Barker19 Oct 2022 - 19:47
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Ladies grind out a win over newly relegated Lionesses
Reacting to a strong start from the Lionesses, Saints had to put in a big defensive scrum straight off the bat. The Lionesses made a big break through the defensive pods and ran for the try line, catching the team by surprise and taking the Lionesses into the lead; 7-0.
Some early team changes from the coaches to counter the game the Lionesses were bringing to the table helped Saints have the upper hand in the Lionesses half. Big tackles being made by both teams meant little ground was made from either team, however this meant that Saints settled into what they know best as a calmer method of rugby made an appearance.
The Lionesses kept the pressure up but conceded a penalty, resulting in a kick to touch from Sophie Langham. The driving maul from the lineout made great ground which put Saints in a brilliant position for the next round of scrums.
The enormity of the defensive game meant that both teams were tiring by the end of the first half. Big hits from both Kirsty Wilson and Beth Robinson kept the inspiration and drive up to allow both Beth Carr and Libby Robinson to make great ground and keep the dream alive, so that after the 16th Scrum of the half, Sophie Langham smashed through the Lionesses back line to score for 5, and kicked perfectly between the sticks to bring the game back level. 7-7 at Half time.
The second half started with some intense resolve and pressure from the Lionesses that nearly saw them score a second try. Perseverance and a great effort from Saints saw a brilliant move off the lineout to put us firmly back in the Lionesses half. From here, it did not seem like the Lionesses day as this is where the game spent the majority of the time from here on.
Even with their defensive kicks from the Lionesses, Beth Carr was able to salvage and make ground up, setting Kirsty Wilson up for a fantastic half pitch sprint to score Saints’ second try of the game. A conversion by Sophie Langham took Saints into the lead 14-7.
Not deterred by the score line, the Lionesses kept up the pressure like it was the first kick off of the game prompting some more heavy hits from Saints’ Beth Robinson and Kirsty Wilson led to a brilliant turn over after an intense period of play.
It was at this point that the Lionesses had to drop to 14, and Saints matched with 10 mins to go. The fire was burning deep in both teams leading to another intense period of play, where, a penalty awarded to Saints gave Scrum Half Chloe White the opportunity to make up a chunk of the field, allowing a speedy break from Harriet Styman and Niamh Grant aiming for the try line, which was cut short by an intercepting tackle on the 5m line. Even in the dying moments of the game, the best defence is that of attack, and Saints did not let up the pressure, with another drive at the line by Natasha Sice and Lucy Bull being denied by being held up for the last play of the game.
Nicki Barker was awarded the Forward of the match, with Back of the Match going to Kirsty Wilson. For her extraordinary efforts Beth Robinson was awarded Coaches player of the match.
Some early team changes from the coaches to counter the game the Lionesses were bringing to the table helped Saints have the upper hand in the Lionesses half. Big tackles being made by both teams meant little ground was made from either team, however this meant that Saints settled into what they know best as a calmer method of rugby made an appearance.
The Lionesses kept the pressure up but conceded a penalty, resulting in a kick to touch from Sophie Langham. The driving maul from the lineout made great ground which put Saints in a brilliant position for the next round of scrums.
The enormity of the defensive game meant that both teams were tiring by the end of the first half. Big hits from both Kirsty Wilson and Beth Robinson kept the inspiration and drive up to allow both Beth Carr and Libby Robinson to make great ground and keep the dream alive, so that after the 16th Scrum of the half, Sophie Langham smashed through the Lionesses back line to score for 5, and kicked perfectly between the sticks to bring the game back level. 7-7 at Half time.
The second half started with some intense resolve and pressure from the Lionesses that nearly saw them score a second try. Perseverance and a great effort from Saints saw a brilliant move off the lineout to put us firmly back in the Lionesses half. From here, it did not seem like the Lionesses day as this is where the game spent the majority of the time from here on.
Even with their defensive kicks from the Lionesses, Beth Carr was able to salvage and make ground up, setting Kirsty Wilson up for a fantastic half pitch sprint to score Saints’ second try of the game. A conversion by Sophie Langham took Saints into the lead 14-7.
Not deterred by the score line, the Lionesses kept up the pressure like it was the first kick off of the game prompting some more heavy hits from Saints’ Beth Robinson and Kirsty Wilson led to a brilliant turn over after an intense period of play.
It was at this point that the Lionesses had to drop to 14, and Saints matched with 10 mins to go. The fire was burning deep in both teams leading to another intense period of play, where, a penalty awarded to Saints gave Scrum Half Chloe White the opportunity to make up a chunk of the field, allowing a speedy break from Harriet Styman and Niamh Grant aiming for the try line, which was cut short by an intercepting tackle on the 5m line. Even in the dying moments of the game, the best defence is that of attack, and Saints did not let up the pressure, with another drive at the line by Natasha Sice and Lucy Bull being denied by being held up for the last play of the game.
Nicki Barker was awarded the Forward of the match, with Back of the Match going to Kirsty Wilson. For her extraordinary efforts Beth Robinson was awarded Coaches player of the match.
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