Biggleswade RUFC

Hitchin Ladies II 0 - 41 Biggleswade Ladies

Biggy Ladies followed up their league win against Buckingham Swans with an emphatic away victory at Hitchin.

Applying pressure from the kick-off, Biggy stole the ball and fed captain Lauren Poole who charged through opposition players to score in the first minute.

Fired-up Biggy, disappointed that scrums were uncontested, redirected their energy into big tackles, rucks and rips. 

Fly half Charlie Field feigned to kick and instead ran past turning defenders to gain ground.

Poole again showed flair, spotting a gap and bursting through from outside the home team’s 22 to run in for her second (converted by Bex Young).

Gina Roby and Amy Schiller combined for the first of a number of pacy, big carries and support runs.

Forward Laura Critchlow slotted into the back line and fired a great pass to Poole who sprinted on for her hat-trick, completed in just under 15 minutes. Young converted.

Ange Jones used her strength to take the ball in and suck in defenders.

Consistent pressure saw Biggy advance and pass wide to Becca Maxwell, who raced along the touchline to score in the corner.

Tash Cooper also made a great dash but was bundled off the pitch before she reached the line.

Poole was injured under a pile of Hitchin players, but Biggy didn’t lose shape or drive with their influential captain off the field. Organised and aggressive in defence and attack, they rucked fiercely to set up impressive backs' interplay.

Kelly Hodgson stopped the home side’s most dangerous break with a great chase and tackle.

Jemma Langton made a strong carry before hooker Nat Rundle was held up on the line on the stroke of half time.

After the break Hitchin came out fighting but Biggy’s defensive press put them under constant pressure and forced mistakes.

Critchlow was unlucky not to set up a score with a back of the hand offload, but when the move broke down Biggy worked it across the pitch for Roby to dart through for the team’s fifth try.

Ellie Reeve scored a belter after Biggy stole Hitchin’s line out ball, running from outside the 22, shaking off one bunch of tackles and barrelling through several more to score. Young converted.

Biggy stole possession again and worked the play out wide, before Young offloaded to Jemma Langton, who ran in for Biggleswade’s seventh and final try.

Hitchin deserve credit for not letting their heads drop, but it was Biggleswade’s day and a complete team performance to be proud of.

Forward of the match: Ange Jones

Back of the match: Bex Young

Special Mention: New recruit Katie Smith, who came on for her first Biggy game and immediately got into the thick of things with some confident runs.