23rd March 2003 - Beccs Ladies win Division 5 SE with a win away 24-10 to Slough Iceni
Beccehamian Ladies became the first ever Beccehamian team to win a League this Sunday with a 24-10 win away against second placed Slough.
On a very hot and sunny day this match between first and second place was always going to be close and competitive. With Beccs getting off to a slow start it was Slough who made the first move with some good forward play to dart through the Beccehamian defence to score an unconverted try in the opening minutes. Knowing this was going to be no push-over, Beccs regrouped and played with the spirit and determination which has seen them through the season.
Some good scrummaging with Lara Fisher playing out of position at hooker, saw Beccehamians competing well against the big Slough pack. Fast ball out to the backs gave an opening try for Beccs flying winger Wendy Stevens, who ran in under the posts to allow a conversion from centre Alex Tyson.
With both sides showing excellent defensive skills the match became a tackle-fest and nerves showed on both sides with a number of handling errors along both back-lines. Some fast runs were made along both wings by Alaina Allen and Wendy Stevens with sensible support work from Carolyn Waugh, playing at full-back for the first time. However they were just unable to break through Sloughs solid defensive line.
Some hard work from the forward pack saw some good interchanges between backs and forwards. A great effort from Beccs forwards to set up a rolling maul saw the ball barraged forward for over 10 metres to cut through the Slough defence only to be held up just over the line.
Some hard work in the ruck from locks Amanda Fenwick and Lucy Chitty enabled the ball to travel slowly down the pitch and flanker Steph Wilson nearly crossed the line. However good support work saw flanker Sarah Henson pick up from the back of a ruck and nick over for the second just before half-time.
With the half-time score 5-12 in Beccs favour, both teams came back out with all guns blazing to play the final 40 minutes. Slough came back very strongly with some excellent attacks and good running lines, but were unable to break through due to fantastic tackling from the Beccs Ladies. A third try for Beccs ladies came from scrum-half and Captain Louise Thomas who led from the front throughout and scored a great individual try from half-way by nipping through a gap in the Slough defence and then sprinting the distance to score under the posts.
A fourth try came minutes later with some good work from the forwards getting quick ball out to the backs which meant that winger Wendy Stevens could take advantage of room out wide to sprint through to score under the posts. A second conversion was added by Alex Tyson.
With ten minutes left, both teams threw everything in and it was Slough who finished the stronger. Great defence from Beccs stopped the Iceni from breaking through and numerous scrums in the Beccs half meant the back line had to concentrate and get the tackles in. A pick-up by the Slough No.8 saw a good move going forward which led to a final unconverted score by Slough. However it was too late and despite a determined effort for the remaining minutes the score finished 10-24 to Beccs Ladies. With one League match still to be played, Beccs Ladies cracked open the champagne as they became Division 5 SE (E) League Champions.
Thanks to Slough for a really competitive match and for the friendly welcome to their Club. Beccs have just one League match left this season which is home, once again to Slough Iceni and so we look forward to welcoming them to Sparrow’s Den on Sunday 6th April, kick-off approximately 2pm.
Beccehamian Team
Forwards:-
Lucy Chitty, Sarah Cobb, Amanda Fenwick, Lara Fisher, Kira Heaton, Sarah Henson, Sam Howe, Tracey Roper, Steph Wilson
Backs:-
Alaina Allen, Stacie Baxter, Catherine Blanc, Eve De Maertelaere, Wendy Stevens, Louise Thomas, Alex Tyson, Carolyn Waugh, Lianne Wilson
Players of the Match
Forwards:-
Amanda Fenwick
Backs:-
Lianne Wilson
|
