Sun 10 Oct 2021
Launceston Ladies Match Report
10/10/2021 Vs Crediton
Launceston Ladies had their first ever competitive game this Sunday and
celebrated it with a hard 15-14 victory.
They welcomed a spirited and well established Crediton side to Polson
Bridge and within the first 2 minutes the adrenaline of the occasion
boosted Launceston to an early score. A break made by inside centre
Holly Williams made it inside Creditons 22. From the ruck the ball was
shipped wide to winger Kate Barrett to race it into the corner. Cracking
start! A tough conversion from out wide was sadly missed.
As both sides settled into the game (as well as a rogue puppy fancied
joining in one of the rucks!) Crediton were able to put some pressure on
the Launceston defence. Launceston not helping themselves by giving
away penalty after penalty. The pressure and penalty count finally took
its toll as the Crediton 13 was able to run through and score. Resulting
conversion was successful.
Crediton started to show their experience in league rugby by upping the
tempo with an impressive offloading game that had the Launceston team
stretched at times, but their dogged defence held firm.
With a bit of field position Launceston were able to utilise their powerful
runners. None more powerful than the immense Mel Ruby who burst into
the opponent’s 22 with a number of Crediton players holding on for dear
life! Finally grounded, Captain Vicki Doidge wanted a piece and busted
another 10m, swatting players on the way through. A fight for the line
just short from Briony Eddy left Sam Sleep to pick up and dive over.
Superb score! Conversion again unfortunately unsuccessful.
Half Time Score: 10-7
Start of the second half and Launceston's powerful runners proving
difficult to deal with, keeping Crediton pinned in their half. But a quick
turnover resulted in Crediton breaking from their own half. A heroic cover
tackle made by stand-in full back Mia Wray but the ball was quickly
recycled and shipped to their impressive 13 to go under the posts for her
second try. Conversion was again successful.
The rest of the second half saw sustained pressure from Launceston
only to be matched by a resilient Crediton defence. But with 12 minutes
left to go that pressure told as Launceston played through an advantage.
Nothing came so the referee brought play back to the original penalty.
Experienced thinking from number 9 Amy ‘Podge’ Warman saw her take
a quick tap and offload to Kim Upcott who no-one was stopping from 5m
out. Conversion missed but Launceston now had a slender lead.
The Final 12 minutes saw both play some brilliant rugby both in attack
and defence, end to end running rugby but Launceston were able to hold
firm for victory. A brilliant advert for women’s rugby from both sides!
Final Score: Launceston 15 Crediton 14
Forward of the Match: Vicki Doidge
Back of the Match: Holly Williams
Hero of the Match: Mia Wray
Launceston Ladies next game is 24th October away to Bideford. Lets
support the girls!
Report By: Dan Pearce and Abi
