It was a cold Sunday morning with the ground layered with ice and snow. Bracknell Ladies set off to London Irish ready to go from the back of their last two wins. When warming up their hands were cold, legs were read raw and boots filled with ice but none of this stopped the determination of the girls.

The whistle went at 1415 and Bracknell Ladies were quick to show London Irish they meant business by holding their defence and pushing London Irish back as much as they could. With the conditions being cold and wet, scrums were a regular occurrence with drop balls happening more than both teams would want. Bracknell Ladies continued to push hard in defence but they couldn’t keep London Irish away for long, with it soon being 5-0.

Bracknell then came back with a fight in their belly, ready to give it their all. After some great forward carries from Chloe Budd and Mealsy Whitbread Bracknell they were starting to play their game, however soon there was a turn over, but with Bracknell’s quick defence London Irish soon spilled the ball, allowing a scrum in the favour of Bracknell. As the ball was spun out the scrum a spill from Bracknell allowed London to jump over the try line for a second time, making it 10-0.

Bracknell were now fired up and wanted to get a point on the board. Some great runs again from the forwards meant that the balls could soon come out to the backs with great runs from Leanne Smith and Paige Bayliss ground was quickly being made. A penalty in Bracknell’s favour allowed Zara King to quickly react and smash through the forwards, with Amber Clark and Tash King in support. As Zara stayed on her feet and created a maul the forwards pilled in and Tash soon got the ball and got the first try for Bracknell in this game.

Half time: 10-5 to Bracknell Ladies.

The second half began and London Irish were ready to make Bracknell work. With both teams making great carries and cover tackles little ground was being made by either team. Leah Watts was working well to catch the kicks from London Irish as they try to chip the ball over Bracknell Ladies. The girls continued to defend well, but soon London Irish made it over the try line again, and with a successful conversion the score was 17-5.

There was no way that Bracknell would give up that early, a great kick to touch by Chloe Evans meant Bracknell had a line out in their favour. A great jump from Shona Webb meant the girls could set up a driving maul. London Irish were pushed back more and more and their defensive line couldn’t keep Bracknell away from the try line, with Zara getting the second try for Bracknell making the score 17-10.

London Irish worked hard to push Bracknell back and despite great tackles from Laura Campbell and Mealsy Whitbread London Irish soon made the score 22-10. Bracknell gave one last push and soon the ball made its way from Amber to Tash to Zoe Young then Zara who crashed through the London Irish forwards. Hannah Taylor quickly recycled the ball and a great line from Shiv Jamieson meant she could crash through players and get the third try for Bracknell.

It was a great game played by both teams and everyone walked off the pitch with a smile on their faces. Bracknell Ladies look forward to the rematch in 2018!

Forward of the match – Chloe Budd
Back of the match – Leah Watts
Most improved – Shona Webb

Final score: 22 - 15 to London Irish.