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Sun 15 Sep 2024
Tonbridge Juddians
Ladies
0
31
Tries: A Lovick, A Bandtock, G Reed-Davies, P Morgan, S SkinnerConversions: M Plane (3)
Slow start but Ladies finish strongly against Judds
Philip Bell15 Sep - 20:10
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Squad depth a decisive factor
Tonbridge Juddian Ladies 0 Heathfield Ladies 31
Heathfield finally secured a five try bonus point away win over Tonbridge Juddians in this opening NC1 league match.
The pitch was fairly well grassed but was very firm underneath. Almost no breeze on a warm sunny day made for energy-sapping conditions and frequent injury pauses.
The first quarter was only remarkable for the lack of much to say about it. Neither side really took control. Heathfield probably looked more threatening but errors and too many penalties prevented any serious scoring opportunities. Judds were showing their lack of any pre-season games as their experienced players tried to work with some new faces.
Skipper Carol Saunders was increasingly noticeable as she started to give her side some much-needed go forward. Gradually Heathfield started to build some continuity and approaching the half hour Caitlin Flower made a big run to take play into the home 22. Possession was retained and the home try line was under serious pressure. Regrettably the whistle now went for a red card for a home player for foul play.
From the resulting penalty eventually Georgia Reed-Davies charged over for the opening try, duly converted by Megan Plane. Reed-Davies made several other strong carries, especially in the first half.
Judds naturally responded and worked their way into the visitors’ 22 but were thwarted by Saunders with a timely steal.
Although Judds have a notably sizeable front five, the Heathfield scrum was generally secure and developed a clear edge, earning a couple of penalties. With an increasingly firm foundation Heathfield were able to work back up the field with Hannah Overy also being noted with several useful carries.
Eventually a tap penalty was exploited for Phoebe Morgan to work her way over for the second try and a half time score of 0-12.
The home lineout was not having a good day and with the Heathfield scrummage doing well, Judds were looking up against it, especially being a player short. The penalty count had evened up and was slightly against the home side in the second half.
The second half started with some effective carries by Becky Taylor and then Steph but the visitors were thwarted by a knock on under the home posts. Judds charged back with their skipper Mary Anderson being especially threatening with some mazy runs.
However injuries were starting to hurt Judds as they only had one replacement compared with Heathfield’s six. Nonetheless they were competing fiercely although one of their second row may have a bruise tomorrow from an awesome hand-off by Steph.
Towards the end of the third quarter good scrum ball initiated some fluctuating play through several phases before it was moved to Sophia Skinner on the left hand side who boshed through the last defenders and jogged under the posts, converted by Plane.
Scrums now went uncontested as Judds struggled with numbers.
The bonus point try was scored by Amber Lovick with a storming run from the 10m line although her body-checking the post protector in scoring caused some merriment to spectators. Lovick has now moved to prop where she is proving very effective without detracting from her other strengths as a big ball carrier.
Finally Abi Bandtock charged through a lineout in the right hand corner at short range to finish the scoring.
The usual suspects, Saunders and Taylor, were afterwards picked out for their contributions while Judds mentioned Chip Chippett for her efforts at outside centre. The coaches also commented positively on the debut at this level by Ellie Phillipse.
Next week Heathfield entertain Horsham in the next NC1 league match (22 Sep 2.00).
Starting Team
1. Amber Lovick 2. Stephanie Chipps 3. Abi Bandtock 4. Velvet Turner 5. Georgia Reed-Davies 6. Sophie Saunders 7. Rebecca Taylor 8. Caitlin Flower 9. Brittany Mole 10. Megan Plane 11. Merve Prestedge 12.Sophia Skinner 13. Charleerose Chippett 14. Phoebe Morgan 15. Megan Baker
Replacements
16. Kirsten McPhail 17. Hannah Overy 18. Charlene Croft 19. Lauren Duly 20. Poppy Eacott 21. Maya Champion 22. Ellie Phillipse
Heathfield finally secured a five try bonus point away win over Tonbridge Juddians in this opening NC1 league match.
The pitch was fairly well grassed but was very firm underneath. Almost no breeze on a warm sunny day made for energy-sapping conditions and frequent injury pauses.
The first quarter was only remarkable for the lack of much to say about it. Neither side really took control. Heathfield probably looked more threatening but errors and too many penalties prevented any serious scoring opportunities. Judds were showing their lack of any pre-season games as their experienced players tried to work with some new faces.
Skipper Carol Saunders was increasingly noticeable as she started to give her side some much-needed go forward. Gradually Heathfield started to build some continuity and approaching the half hour Caitlin Flower made a big run to take play into the home 22. Possession was retained and the home try line was under serious pressure. Regrettably the whistle now went for a red card for a home player for foul play.
From the resulting penalty eventually Georgia Reed-Davies charged over for the opening try, duly converted by Megan Plane. Reed-Davies made several other strong carries, especially in the first half.
Judds naturally responded and worked their way into the visitors’ 22 but were thwarted by Saunders with a timely steal.
Although Judds have a notably sizeable front five, the Heathfield scrum was generally secure and developed a clear edge, earning a couple of penalties. With an increasingly firm foundation Heathfield were able to work back up the field with Hannah Overy also being noted with several useful carries.
Eventually a tap penalty was exploited for Phoebe Morgan to work her way over for the second try and a half time score of 0-12.
The home lineout was not having a good day and with the Heathfield scrummage doing well, Judds were looking up against it, especially being a player short. The penalty count had evened up and was slightly against the home side in the second half.
The second half started with some effective carries by Becky Taylor and then Steph but the visitors were thwarted by a knock on under the home posts. Judds charged back with their skipper Mary Anderson being especially threatening with some mazy runs.
However injuries were starting to hurt Judds as they only had one replacement compared with Heathfield’s six. Nonetheless they were competing fiercely although one of their second row may have a bruise tomorrow from an awesome hand-off by Steph.
Towards the end of the third quarter good scrum ball initiated some fluctuating play through several phases before it was moved to Sophia Skinner on the left hand side who boshed through the last defenders and jogged under the posts, converted by Plane.
Scrums now went uncontested as Judds struggled with numbers.
The bonus point try was scored by Amber Lovick with a storming run from the 10m line although her body-checking the post protector in scoring caused some merriment to spectators. Lovick has now moved to prop where she is proving very effective without detracting from her other strengths as a big ball carrier.
Finally Abi Bandtock charged through a lineout in the right hand corner at short range to finish the scoring.
The usual suspects, Saunders and Taylor, were afterwards picked out for their contributions while Judds mentioned Chip Chippett for her efforts at outside centre. The coaches also commented positively on the debut at this level by Ellie Phillipse.
Next week Heathfield entertain Horsham in the next NC1 league match (22 Sep 2.00).
Starting Team
1. Amber Lovick 2. Stephanie Chipps 3. Abi Bandtock 4. Velvet Turner 5. Georgia Reed-Davies 6. Sophie Saunders 7. Rebecca Taylor 8. Caitlin Flower 9. Brittany Mole 10. Megan Plane 11. Merve Prestedge 12.Sophia Skinner 13. Charleerose Chippett 14. Phoebe Morgan 15. Megan Baker
Replacements
16. Kirsten McPhail 17. Hannah Overy 18. Charlene Croft 19. Lauren Duly 20. Poppy Eacott 21. Maya Champion 22. Ellie Phillipse
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