Biggleswade Ladies 7-10 Hitchin Ladies II
MATCH DAY SPONSOR: TASL
Biggleswade Ladies narrowly missed out in a tight contest at home on Sunday.
The ladies were determined to improve after a poor showing in their last league match.
It was a more confident and focused team that piled pressure onto Hitchin from the off, with powerful scrums, strong rucking and tackling and great linking play.
After ten minutes pinned in their own half, Hitchin began to gain ground, and a penalty put them in a threatening position. Pile driver tackles from Zoe Mills and two steals from Kelly Hodgson, in ripping form, got Biggy on the front foot.
Scrum-half Holly Evans excelled with quick ball out and Amy Schiller and Captain Claire Watson were hitting hard on the charge, making big carries and offloading well.
Hitchin had a couple of dangerous breaks. Lauren Poole - evaded by an attacker breaking out from Hitchin’s 22m line - made an incredible chase to bring down the same speedster 50 yards down the pitch.
Biggleswade’s pressure was rewarded on the half hour mark, with a try that delighted supporters. A kick over from Charlie Field and good chasing got Biggy into Hitchin’s 22. After several Biggy phases, Field led a pre-planned move which saw the backs cross the pitch with fast, intricate moves and pacy lines, unleashing Poole, who ran the ball back inside and between the posts. Mills converted.
With the last move of the half Hitchin won a penalty high up the pitch, allowing their prop to crash ball her way over the line (unconverted). It was a telling blow when it came to the final score.
A series of infringements and penalties throughout the second half meant the game was frustratingly stop-start, making it difficult for both sides to build on possession. Amy Schiller and Watson burst through gaps to make breakaways, but Hitchin’s defence rallied.
Biggy thought they’d scored when Poole broke through a sea of bodies to cross the line, but the ball was held up.
Hitchin also made gain line breaks forcing some strong defensive tackles. With just ten minutes to go, Poole made a crunching hit on a Hitchin attacker, sending the ball flying out loose, unfortunately right into the path of her teammate, who scooped it up, and zig-zagged into space to score an excellent opportunistic try.
Biggy fought on, with last ditch breaks and runs but it just wasn’t to be.
Forward of the Match: Claire Watson
Back of the Match: Holly Evans
A huge thank you to Match Day Sponsor TASL for providing the delicious pre-match supporters’ buffet.
Photos by David Kay
