St.Neots Ladies beat Bishop's Stortford

After securing their 10th win in a row against Bishop's Stortford - and being unbeaten for six months - the ladies have run away with the title with still one game to go!

On Sunday 17th March St.Neots Ladies faced the only team to have beaten them all season and were determined not to loose their winning streak. With wind, hail, sun and rain making the conditions tricky from the get go the ladies put their heads together to come up with a game plan that would hopefully put them on top. However, the game didn't start with a bang as Bishop's Stortford made light work of Saints handling errors and scored a quick try within three minutes; 5 - 0. A stern but motivating talk under the posts from the coaches saw the Saints Ladies hit back with force. With strategic phases building, St.Neots kept important possession and worked their way up the pitch with impactful forward carries from Kirsty Wilson, Megan Thody, Robyn Hopewell and Olivia Bailey. Equaling the score, scum half Emily Miller nipped in and out of defense and scored to the left of the posts after a beautiful hand-off; 5 - 5.

A lot of the first half was played in Bishop's Stortford's half, with Saint's utilizing their powerful defensive techniques and outdoing the visitors with fast line speed and high-powered tackles. With perfectly executed jackling by Mercy Aves, Beth Robinson and Nicki Barker, Bishop's Stortford rarely kept the ball for long. Following a number of pick and goes, Holly Ingram picked up the ball with intent and crossed the line to add another try to the board; 10-5.

With the intensity picking up from Bishop's Stortford, Saint's saw the opposition ship the ball out wide to their speedy full back. Not to be outrun, Vicky Wilkinson performed a try saving tackle that saw Bishop's Stortford stumble and knock on the ball just short of the try line as the half time whistle blew.

Beth Hughes and Hayley Robinson were out performing themselves, with the ball firmly in hand both players continuously beat a sea of players to set the backs up for a swift move before reaching winger Leah Coombes, who used her speed to beat the remaining players to score under the posts. Captain Beth Robinson added the extras, 17 - 5.

A quick penalty by Miller and an strong run by Robinson saw the ladies exceed the game line, but an unfortunate lost maul meant Bishop Stortford now had possession. Using the ball wisely, the opposition set out to get it wide and with fast pace they approached the try line but full back Frankie Layland and winger Faye Holton stopped them in their tracks with a brilliant double tackle.

With a minute to go, Bishop's Storford slipped through the tiring grip of St.Neots and were able to sprint towards the try line to get one last try before the whistle blew. Following a missed conversion the game was over and St.Neots Ladies had won the NC South East East 3 league.

Sion James, St.Neots Ladies Coach, said: "Our result typifies how St.Neots Ladies have gone about their season. We showed a level of composure when emotions could have influenced facets of play, and possibly the final outcome. An intelligence to largely nullify the oppositions threats, and a confidence and belief to play the St.Neots Ladies brand of rugby which see us placed at the top of the table."

Johnny Mo, St.Neots Ladies Coach, said: "I'm very proud."

[Sorry for any errors, my head hurts.]