Reading Abbey 2XV vs Bracknell Ladies 18/11/2018

On the 19th November the Bracknell Ladies made their way the short distance to Rosehill to face friends and soon to be rivals Abbey Nuns. Bracknell knew that they would have to turn up with their game faces on and be prepared to work hard.

Kick off was at 13:30 and a high ball from Zara King led straight to the hands of Abbey. A great chase under the ball allowed Bracknell to quickly put pressure on the girls, with big hits from Leanne Smith, Rachel Rickett and Tash King Abbey were not able to make much ground. Soon Bracknell forced a mistake and a scrum in Bracknell’s favour gave scrum half and captain, Hannah Taylor, the perfect opportunity to pick off the back of the scrum, a great tackle from Abbey forced her out the pitch despite strong running. Amber Clark soon got the opportunity to pick off the back off the scrum and was first to get over the white wash for Bracknell.

Bracknell soon had another scrum, this time it was our number ten, Megan Jones, to wrap round the scrum and carry hard towards the try line. This gave the perfect opportunity to winger, Kirsty Robson, who stormed through Abbey’s defence before offloading to Joy Westlake for her first try of the match. Shiv Jamieson stepped up to take the kick and successfully got another two points on the board, making the score 0-12 to Bracknell.

Abbey were playing well and they didn’t intend on making the game a walk over. Throughout the game they put pressure on Bracknell and made big hits whilst showing Bracknell their quick hands and pace. Abbey were the best scrummaging team that Bracknell have come against all season, making for a fierce contest from both forwards and backs throughout.

The final try of the first half was to come from Joy again, as she ran great support on Tash King's shoulder after a blistering run up the pitch, allowing Joy to dot it down over the line in time for the half time whistle to go.

Half time score 0-17 to Bracknell Ladies.

Abbey kicked the ball straight to the hands of Amber Ledger after half time who carried the ball strong down the middle of the pitch before giving the offload. The ball travelled through the hands of Zoe Young & Alice Whitbread before reaching Joy who once again made a break for the try line and placing the ball down.

After a lost line out from Bracknell the girls were quick to react and turn the ball over before Joy got the opportunity to get another try make the score 0-29 following a successful conversion by Zara King.

Kick off once again lead to the hands of Amber Ledger who carried strong before offloading to Alice who made great ground before offloading to Tash, who dotted the ball under the post, with a successful conversion again from Zara.

Bracknell soon had a scrum on the 22 which was the perfect opportunity for Amber to get her second score of the match by picking from the back of the scrum and powering through over the line.

It was Amber Clarks turn to catch the ball from kick off this time who carried confidently through the Abbey players before quick hands from the backs allowed Joy to get her final opportunity of the game to get a try, The score was now 0-46 to Bracknell.

Esmee Sturges, who played her first game as flanker after previously being in the backs, carried strong and shook players off as she powered through the defensive line with Caz Kirk and Amanda Cooper in tow ready for the offload. This soon lead to returning player, Mia McCreesh, to get the ball and outpace the Abbey backs as she gets her first try of the game.

Despite Abbey’s effort it was time for Tash King to get her second try of the match. Great carries from Zoe young & Shona Webb pushed Abbey back before Tash carried hard and fast over the white wash.

Throughout the match the girls put their bodies on the line to push the team forward, great tackles came from Cat Bell, who has been working hard on her tackling technique in the last few weeks, Megan Jones, who has recently stepped up into the difficult position of 10 and Lorraine Bobb who has returned from injury and with this being her first game back of the season she took every opportunity to tackle the biggest players on the pitch and to create space for other players by running fast and showing her quick feet.

The final try of the match was to come from Mia who received a great pass from the back of a ruck through the hands of Shiv & Tash giving her the opportunity to smash through the middle of the pitch, Zara took the kick which put a further two points on the board.

Final score Abbey 2XV 0 - 65 Bracknell

A few words from our captain, Hannah Taylor; “What a game, what a win. The team worked so hard today to secure the win and not let the opposition break through our defensive line. The forwards made ground with hard hits and the backs used the space to show their speed. Well done girls, you smashed it. Very proud of you all!”

Forward of the Match: Tash King for excellent pace, tackling and support running!

Back of the Match: Joy Westlake for amazing cover tackles, getting four tries and great support!

Proudly sponsored by David Cliff, Bracknell Personnel Services and THH Scaffolding Services