Blackheath WRFC 18 - Folkestone 12
Sunday, 19th September
Blackheath ladies recorded their first victory yesterday in their opening match of the league season. After a gruelling 3 months of fitness and pre-season training, the squad saw their hard work rewarded at last.
The game started in fine weather and Blackheath looked the stronger team from the kick-off. After 5 minutes of play, a big drive from an attacking lineout took Blackheath deep into Folkestone’s 22. Two quick rucks and a crash ball from the centres left number 12, Jane, inches from the line. While Folkestone’s defence was re-organising, a quick pick-up from number 1, Ed, led to the opening try. Number 10, Jesse was unsuccessful with the conversion.
Having endured a further 10 minutes of repeated pressure from Blackheath, Folkestone made the most of a quick penalty and broke through the defence to score a quick try under the posts. The conversion sailed straight through leaving the hosts trailing for the first time in the match.
Blackheath gathered themselves together and won a penalty in front of Folkstone’s posts allowing Jesse to take Blackheath a point ahead of the visitors. From that point on, Blackheath dominated the game, keeping steady pressure on the visitors regardless of ball possession. Special mention must go to the great tackling by numbers 2 and 13, Katie and Leanne, and superb crash balls by Jane.
Blackheath’s second try came from another strong lineout drive followed by a crash ball by number 15, Caz, putting Jesse into space to score. Again the conversion was unsuccessful, but the try took the home team into half time comfortably ahead, despite a period of pressure by the visitors before the whistle.
The second half opened with further pressure from Folkestone, but Blackheath’s defence was solid. The hosts stretched their lead further at the mid point of the half with a ruck outside the visitor’s 22, leading to a crash ball by Jane allowing Caz to burst though the defence and sidestep the fullback for a try under the posts.
The remainder of the game was a battle against fitness as much as the opposition and a period of sustained pressure by Folkestone lead to an unlucky fumble by Blackheath behind their own line. The visitors pounced on the ball for their second try, but the conversion was unsuccessful leaving the final score at Blackheath WRFC 18 – Folkestone 12.
Published on: 22/09/04 |
