Biggleswade RUFC

With a much-changed line-up, including five players brand new to rugby, the Ladies’ first game of the season away at Royston was always going to be tough.

Biggleswade. determined to stand strong, put in a huge defensive shift, improving as the game went on and never letting their heads drop.

Full-back Amanda Humphrey nailed her colours to the mast in the first minute, flattening a breakaway player, then putting this method on repeat. Jemma Langton also brought down Royston player Jaz Devereux with a great hit.

Biggy’s defence forced Royston to play laterally, but the pressure told and they were able to break the line for the first of several tries, despite some strong tackling, including a big hit from new player Sarah Forshaw to prevent an offload.

Biggy found it hard to win possession, but some great hands across the pitch from the back of a scrum gained them ground.

The hard surface didn’t help with injuries and Biggleswade lost two players, including new prop Heather Cousins, who had been going great guns in her first ever rugby match.

Royston were 29-0 ahead at half time, but Biggy stepped up and became more structured as the game progressed.

When the Royston kick-off failed to go 10, Amy Fox carried from the base of the scrum, and found Bev Horsefield, the pair clocking up good yards between them.

Returning from retirement, Carolyn ‘Willy’ Drake’s lack of pace took no-one by surprise, but she did manage some crunching tackles and carries, linking well with the fearsome Fox who again made ground.

Becca Maxwell punched well above her weight all over the pitch, making numerous covering tackles. Teri Taylor put in a Captain’s performance with grit and great leadership, and Vicki Marshall fed rock-solid passes out from the scrum.

There were some highlights from the newbies: Lock Carolyn Cook made a barnstorming break, her pace taking everyone by surprise, and prop Rajal Masters made a great carry after the cheekiest of dummies. 

Biggy were forcing mistakes from Royston, and the game became broken up, with more injuries seeing the sides drop down to 13 players.

Despite their improved performance, Biggleswade couldn’t keep Royston out, and the home side were able to exploit overlaps to score three more.

The final 10 minutes of the match were hugely encouraging, as Biggy secured good possession and the backs linked well under pressure, with the team just falling short in the last phase of their attacks.

Well done to Royston, for some impressive and well-structured rugby.

Forward of the Match: Carolyn Cook - for a legendary break and her hard work throughout the game

Back of the Match: Amanda Humphrey - for missing zero tackles in an heroic performance.

Photos by Laura Critchlow