Biggleswade RUFC

Olney Ladies 48-7 Biggleswade Ladies

Another tough match for Biggy Ladies saw them battle hard against a strong Olney side in challenging conditions on Sunday.

Despite the scoreline, it was a determined performance from Biggleswade, who - despite missing key players through injury and unavailability - managed to play as a team and fight until the final whistle. Additional game injuries meant more line-up changes, but they refused to give up.

Olney used their size and strength from the kick-off, with Biggy missing some initial tackles, allowing the home side to score.

Biggy’s tackling improved, with some great hits from Jemma Langton and Charlotte Sheppard. Sheppard’s game was cut short after being injured putting in another good hit. She was replaced by borrowed Ampthill player Chloe Pearce.

Biggy began to put pressure on, but lost their line out in the wind. Tash Cooper, starting at 10 instead of her usual 15 role, made a good run, only to be held up in a maul.

Hazel Cole and Ange Jones put in some fierce tackles, but some of the big Olney forwards needed two players to bring them down, and they used this to advantage, sucking in Biggleswade before passing out wide. Biggleswade’s No 8 Ellie Reeve was forced to leave the pitch injured just before half time. Olney were 22-0 at the break.

Far from disheartened, Biggleswade came out fighting. Bex Young, Holly Evans, Storm Rae and Katie Smith added themselves to the tackling honours list, but the whole team deserve plaudits for their gritty defence.

Olney scored again, and Biggy lost Smith to a head injury, but despite this it was Biggleswade who deservedly won the next points. Evans’ quickly-taken penalty passed through backs’ hands before Cooper broke through and ran half the length of the pitch to score. Young converted.

Biggy were improving around the ruck, with Evans picking and going, and captain Kelly Hodges making a strong run.

Becca Maxwell made a great chase back to tackle an Olney player. Yet another injury saw Rae leave the field to receive treatment and Biggy down to 14 players for some time.

Olney notched up more tries as the wind whipped up and handling errors increased, with the game ending in energy-sapping scrums after both teams added to the knock-on count.

The final score of 48-7 was disappointing, but did not reflect the heart and commitment displayed by Biggy Ladies.

Photos by Carl Wolfenden