Bracknell Ladies were welcomed to Harpenden RFC on the 12th of November. After a minutes silence held by both teams for Remembrance Sunday, the whistle was blown. Bracknell Ladies quickly found their stride with the forwards making strong carries to gain ground.

Crash balls meant Bracknell Ladies were in sight of the try line, with Leanne Clark moving into support the forwards in the rucks, they were able to secure the ball and keep the tempo going. Harpenden were putting in big hits and working hard to win back the ball, a turn over from a maul allowed Harpenden to get the ball quickly out to the backs. Great cover tackles from both Esmee Sturges and Leah Watts stopped Harpenden from making any ground, and Bracknell regained possession.

Chloe Evans, who plays ten passed a great ball out to scum half Hannah Taylor who was first to get over the try line for Bracknell Ladies on the left wing of the pitch, which was also her first try of the season. Bracknell Ladies were filled with fighting spirit, and they weren’t going to stop with just one try in the bag.

Harpenden showed good defence, but Bracknell Lades were quick to pick up on their dropped balls to quickly gained turn over. It was now Esmee Sturges time to show her pace as she sprinted along the left wing and got the ball over the line for the second try of the match, and the first for her season, followed by a successfully kicked conversion.

A few more great plays from both the forwards and backs allowed Bracknell Ladies to show their fast hands from full back Leah Watts as she offloads to Zoe Young, who quickly passed to Shiv Jamieson. Shiv used her strength and pace as she smashes through Harpenden’s defence to get the third try of the game on the right wing.

A smashing tackle made by Mealsy Whitbread and Shiv Jamieson allowed the ball to be knocked on and again, Bracknell had the upper hand. Before the half time whistle was blown Bracknell Ladies had a try in sight, Harpenden were holding the ladies off the line, until Alice Whitbread saw a gap and the fourth try of the match scored.

At half time the score was 22-0 to Bracknell Ladies.

Harpenden came back in the second half with fire in their belly, as they fought hard to make ground they quickly got a try. Bracknell Ladies then showed great reactions and defence as the whole team came together to keep Harpenden away from the try line. 20 minutes in to the second half and neither team could gain any more points with both squads working hard to gain ground, but little mistakes allowing turn over. Harpenden managed to get over the line again as their winger outpaced Bracknell Ladies, but this wasn’t going to stop Bracknell putting in one last attempt. A penalty was given in Harpenden’s favour, and the quick defence from Bracknell put Harpenden under pressure. Again there was tackles left right and centre and every girl on the pitch worked as hard as they could.

Bracknell Ladies celebrated a year of being a team on Thursday 9th November, and what a better way to celebrate than getting their first win of the league!

Final score: 22-12 to Bracknell Ladies.