IWS game Newark V Hinkley Hellcats.

Saturday 16th March

Playing conditions were perfect for handling with the ground drying out repeatedly. All thanks to the gods and the excellent grounds people we have at the club.

Unsure of what laid ahead as rumours suggest these are the best team in the Inner warrior division.

Newark women received the ball first and made good ground advancing slowly but assuring we put our practise over the past few weeks into the game play, of retaining and securing our own ball. Eventually this was broken down and turned over, Hinkley swiftly through the ball out wide to their rapid winger who ran in for the first try. 0-5, conversion missed.

Not losing heart and recognising there was already an improvement in our own goals for the game. The women applied pressure from the restart. Pushing the attack back and creating pressure with a string of strong tackles and defensive teamwork. Hinkley however, had two quick wingers and the opposite one was just as speedy running in another try from distance. 0-10, Conversion missed.

There followed and series of opportunities for both sides to add points but for a few dropped and misplaced passes and last-ditch tackles.
This led to an enormous number of scrums, which was our first time playing competitively. This did not phase our women and it could be said at times they dominated under the watchful eye of Stuart, who was constantly giving useful instruction to the players off the pitch as players were rotated regularly.

Hinkley went on to score a further two tries again through their excellent wingers. 0-20, no conversions.

Just before Half time Newark broke the defensive line again through the centres but this time support was on hand and with a series off loads and strong rucking retaining possession, we scored our first try. Squeezing the ball over the line to give some encouragement for the second half- and the half-time oranges tasted better. 5-20, no conversion.

The second half began with Hinkley determined not to allow us back in the game and again through the ball around. Defensively the Newark women were brilliant all game and created constant pressure at every break down, scrum, lineout, and when they did break through, we had two wingers and a full back that were not allowing them to go any further and forcing them out or to ground.

Eventually Hinkley did run in a try in again through their rapid winger, but everyone stopped as she appeared to knock the ball on twice from a clearance kick dropping it firstly then knocking on again when picking it up. The referee can not be criticised as maybe his view was blocked, and he had a brilliant game throughout allowing the game to follow and giving clear instruction constantly. 5-25, no conversion.
This rallied the team and from this moment they dominated the rest of the game.

The togetherness of this team is tremendous and what they produced for that last 15 minutes was a different level to where they have been playing and developing.

Constantly breaking the defensively line, creating pressure and confusion in attack now. Twice the team were held up over the line before scoring their second try with excellent use of the ball through hands in the backs and running direct lines committing defenders and moving the ball out with well timed passing. 12- 25 conversion successful.

From the restart Newark maintained the pressure and again were held up over the line. With fitness levels telling on the opposition and few comments from the sidelines not believing how fit this team are. All down to the intensity they are training at.

Newark managed to score again under the posts with a timed pass for the supporting player to break the tackle and run in uncontested. 19-25 conversion successful.

Unfortunately, this was the last play and women new this was not enough.

I believe we could have gone on to win if given another minute to restart, but given the fact that this team have held an experienced team, applied pressure and created opportunities for lots of individuals to thrive in still a strange environment were we are still learning every day / training session they walked off that pitch proud of their achievements today with a smile and laughter amongst friends.