Old Dunstonian Ladies made it two out of two in their first ever season with another victory, this time over Kilburn Cosmos, another new London side. The visitors came out fighting with some hard tackles and strong runs through the centre, but the ODs managed to defend well and made good use of their possession with some good runs from centre Susie Clarke and number 8 Jenny Dempsey. And it was the home side who scored first with Captain Louise Dennis picking up from the base of the scrum to run in under the posts. This try was followed up in the second quarter when full back, Hannah Tyson broke through the Kilburn backline. This try was successfully converted by Susie Clarke, taking her first ever kick!

After the second try Kilburn upped their game and made some great breaks up the centre of the field with their inside centre and prop forward forcing the ODs to make some excellent tackles right near their line, including two superb try saving tackles from both wingers, Kate Huntington and Helen Fletcher. Eventually Kilburn’s efforts paid off and they scored their first unconverted try. However the ODs came back in the third quarter to take back two more tries, with Louise Dennis scoring again, from a quick tap penalty and Jenny Dempsey taking a great solo run to score under the posts for her first ever try. Both of these were converted by another novice kicker, Louise Freds.

The final quarter was just as hard fought as the first, despite the worsening weather and both sides kept the pressure up till the final whistle. Second Row, Louise Roche, Louise Freds, in at prop for the first time and Helen Dempsey, making her rugby début worked exceptionally hard to keep the ball in the ODs possession. The ODs finished in style with a great kick in field from Louise Freds, which was chased and picked up by Susie Clarke to put Ruth Huntington in to score in the corner for her first ever try. Kilburn managed to pull one back in the final stages of match following a munching tackle from the restart to turn over the ball and despite some good defending from the OD’s Kilburn scored to signal the end of the match.

Old Dunstonian Ladies will be hoping to continue their winning streak when they take on local division 3 side Beccehamians at home, 2pm kick off. To find out more about Old Dunstonian Ladies Rugby visit www.odrfc.co.uk or call Louise Dennis on 07976 175 978.