Ladies 1st XV
Matches
Sat 14 Sep 2019  ·  Women's NC 1 South East (South)
Heathfield & Waldron RFC
Ladies 1st XV
42
15
Guernsey Ladies
Ladies eight try fun in the sun

Ladies eight try fun in the sun

Philip Bell15 Sep 2019 - 07:50
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Aggressive defence the crucial factor

Heathfield Ladies 42 Guernsey Ladies 15
Heathfield Ladies collected an emphatic eight tries to three win over Guernsey Ladies by effective aggression and some clinical taking of chances. There had been some concerns after last week’s game against Canterbury that this league would prove a step too far but this result, and especially the manner in which it was achieved, will have settled nerves and this squad can now look forward to a competitive and enjoyable season.
On a lovely day more suited to cricket with the pitch in excellent condition and in front of a very decent crowd Heathfield played up the slight slope in the first half. The first home try came after five minutes and the next three came at five minute intervals. The first three all came from aggressive home defence with turnover ball being exploited. For the first Sophie Saunders secured the ball at the breakdown and after Emily Sowell had made good yards Ella Watson was on hand to finish. For the next Amber Lovick made one of her numerous and effective runs before finding Sowell who finished clinically. The third came from deep in Heathfield’s 22 as turnover ball was run back by Watson who nearly went all the way but for a fine tackle back - Sowell was inevitably on hand to collect her second on the day.
Heathfield’s fourth, and bonus point, try was a solo effort by skipper Becky Taylor picking up at number 8 from a set scrum near the visitors’ 22 and having the power and skill to work her way over. This was converted by Georgia Reed-Davies – remarkably the only successful kick by either side on the day (22-0). Sadly Reed-Davies had to retire soon afterwards with an injury.
Guernsey were not rolling over but Heathfield’s defence was stifling their attacks. They were starting to get some big runners moving but they never broke through – Jasmine White got a warm mention for her work in this respect. The visitors’ scrummage looked to have a slight edge but their lineout misfired and it was noticeable that after a while they chose to tap most penalties rather than kick for touch.
On the half hour Guernsey did get some reward for their efforts when their standout player, number 8 Tanya Scholtz, charged over in the right hand corner.
However Heathfield finished the half with a try for Saunders, again from good turnover ball (27-5).
The home side started the second half in similar style when Amber Lovick charged through tackles to score from near the visitors’ ten metre line.
Hannah Haffenden now came off the bench to take over at scrum half as Carla Monson moved into the back row where she continued to make seriously effective tackles. Brittany Mole had to retire with a shoulder issue probably arising from her typically determined tackling.
Guernsey did collect another try, again from Scholtz, as she showed ability to run through and over tackles. However this was soon answered by another home score when Poppy Eacott made a determined run from at least twenty yards out as a worthy reward for her all-round performance in the tight and loose.
The final home score came when Izzy Bowler ran back a visitors kick out of defence towards the left hand corner and then good hands worked the ball wide for Bethany Wright to finish wide right.
The scoring was completed by yet another try for Scholtz, her third on the day – they would have been bereft without her.
Afterwards the coaches were delighted with the whole squad for the way in which they had bounced back from a difficult day last weekend. As well as those mentioned above Hannah Overy was picked out for just her third game with solid scrummaging and plenty of good carries and handling. Skipper Taylor led by example throughout but ‘man’ of the match went to Sophie Skinner for her impressive overall efforts especially as part of the aggressive defence which was the crucial factor on the day.
Heathfield now have a break until they visit Ashford on 6th October – after today that can’t come soon enough.

Team: 1.Hannah Overy 2. Poppy Eacott 3. Saskia Sullivan 4. Amber Lovick 5. Georgia Reed-Davies 6. Brittany Mole 7. Saunders Sophie 8. Becky Taylor 9. Carla Monson 10. Lesley Coulter 11. Izzy Bowler 12. Sophie Skinner 13 Ella Watson 14. Emily Sowell 15 Lauren Duly

Substitutes
16. Sheryl Baker 17. Jasmine White 18. Bethany Wright 19. Hannah Haffenden

Match details

Match date

Sat 14 Sep 2019

Kickoff

12:00

Competition

Women's NC 1 South East (South)

League position

4
Heathfield & W Ladies
6
Guernsey Ladies
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Ladies Shirt Sponsor - Bytes
Snr Mens Shirt Sponsor - Dominos
Sleeve sponsor - REX Refrig vehicles
Main Junior Sponsor with Boards - Wood & Pilcher
Ladies 1XV & Mens 1XV Sponsor  - The Park Lane Group
Shirt Sponsor  - Anderson Bourne
Colts Sponsor - Ben Harman Arboriculture