Biggleswade RUFC

Ampthill Ladies 0 - 37 Biggleswade Ladies

With key players missing Biggleswade Ladies knew they would have to put in a big shift away against Ampthill Ladies on Sunday.

The team seized the opportunity to show the strength of their squad with a determined and dominating performance.

Biggleswade started well, with full back Amanda Humphrey nailing the first hit.

Great tackling and pressure in the breakdown from Biggy forced a knock-on and Anna Kolańczyk scooped up a loose ball and spread it wide to Chloe White, who ran 50 metres down the wing before touching down between the posts.

Chloe almost repeated the feat moments later, with an even longer run of 80m, but was tackled well just 5 metres out from the Ampthill line.

Ampthill kicked to clear but missed touch, and Amanda collected the high ball and raced in from 20 metres out to score in the corner, making the score 0 - 10.

Heidi Lawson, used to a flankers’ role, pulled on the No 8 shirt for the first time for her club, and gave her all in the position. She made a series of strong, fast carries, bursting through the gain line, sucking in defenders, and rocking a mean sidestep to wrong foot the opposition.

Biggleswade’s forwards were making ground, with Connie McGinlay making some big carries, and Nat Rundle rucking fiercely. The hard work resulted in good ball out to the backs, who passed it slickly from one side of the pitch to the other, in a perfect training ground move, finished off by speedy winger Tash Cooper.

Unfortunately Tash was injured when she and teammate Lauren Poole made a crashing double tackle on the opposition winger. Substitute Carolyn ‘Willy’ Drake came onto the pitch like an overexcited labrador begging to show her ‘genuine pace’ on the wing, but she was sensibly led to the pack and told not to be an idiot.

An offload in a tackle was collected by the advancing Connie to start another good Biggy move. Anna showed a clever change of pace to draw in the last defender and pass out to  Amanda, bombing in from depth for her second and Biggleswade’s fourth try, making the half time score 0 - 20.

Biggy started the second half with the same focus as the first. Lauren, putting in another barnstorming performance, scored from the very first phase, finishing off another successful set move from backs.

Biggleswade were dominating territory and not letting Ampthill gain momentum or break through. Jo Treverton replaced Willy who had to come off after taking an accidental headbutt to the mouth, gashing her lip (although to no-one’s surprise it didn’t shut her up for a moment).

Lauren continued to wreak havoc, making the most of turnover ball and running in to score between the posts. (Try converted).

The game became somewhat stop start with a series of injury and penalty stoppages, but Biggy were resolute and simply refused to let Ampthill gain ground.

Lauren’s second half hat-trick was completed after an impressive run where she gassed past a series of Ampthill defenders who couldn’t match her pace and power.

As always, Biggleswade still have plenty to work on in training, but the day was a satisfying one for the team and the coaches. The whole side put in a great effort and the backs in particular deserve praise for some impressive, crisp handling and moves. At key times, they played great heads-up rugby, picking the right moves and executing them with clinical precision. Ampthill also deserve kudos for some strong rucking and tackling and for never letting their heads drop.

Final score Ampthill Ladies 0 - 37 Biggleswade Ladies. Biggleswade Ladies remain top of the Women's Challenge Series South East (North) league.

- Forward of the Match was Heidi Lawson (sponsored by Endurefit Personal Training & Fitness) for an excellent performance at No 8.

- Back of the Match was Chloe White (sponsored by Elite Home Improvements) for some great running.

- Special mentions for Sarah Bartram, who played her first full game at prop and back Charlie Poynter, who was bodysnatched by the pod people and introduced to forward life as a flanker.

PHOTO BY LEIGH FROST