Battersea Ironside Vs Bracknell Ladies Junior Cup

"Instantly Bracknell were putting pressure on Ironside and soon forced a turnover ball"

The time had come for round two of the Junior Cup and Bracknell Ladies were ready to play Battersea Ironside Ladies for the second time this season. With the last match ending with a nail-biting score the girls travelled down getting their heads in the zone ready for another tough game.

As the clock hit 2pm the whistle went and Bracknell Ladies chased the high ball and went roaring towards Ironside. Instantly Bracknell were putting pressure on Ironside and soon forced a turnover ball. Scrum Half Hannah Taylor got the ball out the ruck allowing for crash balls from the forwards. The girls were steaming up the pitch and soon Zara King was first to get points on the board, with an unsuccessful conversion the score was 0-5 within the first five minutes of play.

This was the start that Bracknell Ladies had trained hard for, they now had to keep this momentum and drive forward. Bracknell caught a rolling ball from the reset and instantly showed pace and strength as Leanne Smith, Esmee Sturges and Amanda Cooper all powered through players. Zoe Young was next to receive the ball who carried strong despite having multiple players hanging off her! She was stopped short of the try line but a great offload allowed Alice Whitbread to get the try, clearly she has learnt her lesson from last week!

The next try was to come from Zara again, thanks mainly to Kirsty Robson who stepped three players before offloading to Zara who got a walk over the line. The score was now 0-15 to Bracknell and they were really enjoying the game.

From the reset a high ball flew straight to the hands of strong forward, Tash King. She has been sprint training over the last few weeks and this was a great opportunity for her to show her new found pace. She was on the 10 metre line when faced with Ironside fullback who she stepped and then got her first try of the match.

Next up to the show the effects of sprint training was Shiv Jamieson. Over the last few weeks Shiv has been running with weights and parachutes to help with her power when running and it really showed off on Sunday. She ran from the half way line to the 10 metre line with Ironside hot on her heels and was soon tackled to the ground. Quick reactions from Alice around the ruck made more ground before Leanne caught the ball and crashed over the try line.

Another member of sprint training is Amanda, who caught the ball and ran hard and fast up the pitch. Great support from Megan RL, Rachel Rickett and Esmee the ball kept on moving before Amber Clark got over the white wash making the score 0-30 to Bracknell.

Despite the gap in the score Ironside kept their heads up and were working hard to gain back possession of the ball. They were quick to react from a dropped ball by Bracknell Ladies and soon they were pacing up the pitch. Great tackles from all the girls stopped them from traveling forward fast, but soon they were to make the score 5-30.

Before the half time whistle went Bracknell wanted to get in another try. The ball went through the hands of Amanda, Zoe & Alice before Zara dove across the line.

Half time score 5-35 to Bracknell Ladies.

Bracknell soon had a scrum in their favour after half time. This was a great opportunity for Bracknell to try some of the moves from training as Amber picked the ball from the back of the scrum and got her second try of the match.

Next to get a try was Rachel. Great support allowed an offload to go straight to her hands before she outpaced three Ironside players along the side of the pitch before touching the ball down under the posts, along with a successful conversion the score was now a thrilling 5-47.

Before they knew it Bracknell were in touching distance of the try line again. Great attempts to get over the line came from Alice, Esmee and Leah but Ironside were putting up a good fight. Lauren Clark soon caught the ball and crashed through two players before offloading and setting up an easy try.

Ironside worked hard to regain possession and despite great tackles from Cat Bell, Leah Watts and Rachel they managed to get another try, making the score 12-52 after a successful conversion.

With only a few minutes of the game left a penalty gave Bracknell the chance to kick the ball to the corner. The forwards quickly set up for a line out. Shona Louise leapt into the air and caught the ball, after having already stolen two line outs previously in the match, she went to ground and created a driving maul. Tash & Zoe drove the maul from the front as Amber, Amanda and Zara worked hard from the back. Soon they were over the line as they got the final try of the match.

Final score Ironside 12 - 57 Bracknell

A few words from our captain, Hannah Taylor; “What a game girls! So proud to captain and be part of this team. Everyone worked so hard and we got the result we wanted.”

Forward of the Match: Zara King for carrying strong and supporting other players resulting in five tries!

Back of the Match: Esmee Sturges for massive hits and hard running.