South East had determined to play open running rugby in their first encounter of the season but found that for a good proportion of this fixture a tenacious mauling game would be the order of the day.

The LSE playing talent on display was impressive, the key factor was could they play as a team after just one training session? The home side started well enough against East’s marauding forwards, but when quick ball was earned the expected slick ball handling in the three-quarters went astray.  Possession and territory were marginally in LSE’s favour due to their pack’s hard work, including that of former TJ prop Emma Sayers. It was the locals who won a penalty in the oppositions half on twenty minutes, Trojans fly half Caren Goodman was called forward but her kick went wide.

Ten minutes later East had driven LSE right back into their own twenty-two. Forward pressure told and the away side hooker was able to cross the line for the first try of the game. The score remained five nil at half time. The general feeling in the home camp was that things were improving and it was just a matter of time before the backs started firing together.

The local side came out determined to reverse the position. Parity was obtained in the scrums and dominance in the line-out continued even after number two specialist line-out jumper Charlotte Harris had to leave the field. Quicker ball led to more chances for LSE including a thirty yard dash by stand-off Caren Goodman which only just failed to beat East’s cover and then, despite the resulting injury caused to her shoulder, leading a few minutes later to a try by her in the corner.  A spell of dominance by the home pack took over and a series of rolling mauls and charges by Butler, Mills, Sayers, Reinhold and Balance took LSE to within meters of a further score, but an opposition hand in the ruck prevented the release required.  East had been transgressing throughout and the perpetrator was finally sent to the bin for 10 minutes, however there was no penalty try.

The three points on offer were taken by Goodman to put the home side ahead, however, despite the player advantage South East were unable to put further points on the board even though the ball was being used more successfully in the backs. East, who’s defence had been strong all afternoon began to turn this into attack.  One last effort was successfully made to breach the home line when a second try was scored, but not converted.

LSE had just a few minutes to put things right and everything was flung into the attack.  Ground was made up the centre in a move reminiscent of Sydney 2003, but an attempt at a drop goal could not be made before the whistle ended play. South East will next face Thames Valley at the Slade on the 26^th February 2006, Kick off at 1.30 p.m., all supporters welcome.

South East Squad – Beth Mills (Captain), Anna Butler, Emma Sayers, Katherine Reinhold, Charlotte Harris (rep Victoria Besley), Maxine Couzens, Catherine Bradley, Becky Balance, Kate Landells, Caren Goodman, Tracey Pettingale, Hanna Tyson (rep Susan James), Clare Bowen, Lucy Bidwell (rep Heather Shaw), Trish Clyde, Vickey Sieben, Nicola Tween, Abi Seymour.