Away - 25th November 2006
Old Dunstonian Ladies Rugby Team got their winning streak back this weekend when they won their first away fixture 12 points to 10 at Chichester. Despite only 10 minutes to warm up, the Ods got off to a flying start putting pressure on the home side from the kick off and causing them to make some early errors in their own half. This set the Ods up in a good position to take advantage of a fantastic scrum performance, in particular the front row of Trish Laker, Julie Fear and Helen Dempsey, to attack the Chichester line. Chichester put in some crunching tackles to keep the Ods from scoring, but the Ods kept up their attack and were awarded a penalty for their efforts. Captain Louise Dennis took full advantage of this, taking it quickly to score under the post for the visitors first try, which was converted by centre, Susie Clarke.
The Od forwards continued to work hard, rucking well and wining several opposition scrums to give the backs good ball to work some good lines of running, especially between fly half Amy Rucco and Susie Clarke. However, a series of penalties allowed Chichester to make good use of the boot to win valuable ground. This set the home side up for a line out 10 metres from the Ods try line which they won cleanly to allow their scrum half to run through the defence to score.
The Ods managed to compose themselves after conceding the unconverted try to come back stronger with backs and forwards working well to recycle the ball. Several good phases of play, particularly involving the Ods number 8 Jenni Dempsey and wing Helen Fletcher, took the visitors within sight of the try line once more. Only a few yards out the ball was popped to second row Bronwyn Sinclaire who then used her 6ft frame to power the ball through several Chichester defenders to score her first try of the season in a fantastic solo effort.
Once again Chichester responded to the Ods second unconverted try, with some good attacking play to get back into the Ods half. A well taken number 8 pick up close to the try line, sucked the Ods defence in to allow their winger to score and once again take the home side to within 2 points of victory as the half time whistle blew.
