East Retford 0 – 24 Newark

First of many great performances hopefully this year.
Blowing a gale north to south, in freezing intermittent rain, the Women’s performance today was outstanding. Still sticking to our game plan of running the ball and using space as our friend.
Receiving the ball with the gale in our faces. It was obvious that trying to get out our half to start with was going to be the first challenge.
From the simplest kick off, the ball flew and travelled to the try line. Immediately putting us under pressure. Evie on her return from Australia, playing out of position, gathered and was back in the game, a crunching tackle stopped her advancing. This wasn’t the last time she played a pivotal part in today’s performance. The ball was recycled over and over with a constant barrage from the hard-working forwards, until the time was right to throw it out along the backs and release our flyer on the wing, who stripped her opposite number and ran in under the posts. The conversion was tricky and just keeping the ball still on its tee was a task on its own.
The restart was again tricky with the wind playing its part. Again, the women tried to play flowing rugby, with forwards and back linking and if not for the extremely cold conditions and wind more opportunities to score would have been taken with the final pass getting caught up in the breeze especially. Sophie on the opposite wing could lay claim that the wind stopped her getting on the score sheet a few times, but this didn’t deter her and several times was stopped by last ditched tackles or Retford’s strong full back covering her advancements.
The back row of G, Annie and Keeley created problems throughout the game. Their work within the first half was tremendous either in defence or attack they were a constant menace. Taking the ball on with power and control and linking this with Ellie at scrumhalf to feed the general who did what she always does, reading the game well and making those decisions. Feeding the front five or throwing it out wide. Creating space for others as this was the case for our second score. Working our way up the pitch punching holes and supporting each other. Lucy, Cheryl and Michelle doing the hard yards, supported by Jodie and Rowanne both growing in confidence and starting to form a great partnership in the engine house and creating chaos for the defence. Then it was time to unleash the speed and skilfully the ball went along the line and again Daisy backed herself and ran in for her second try of the day reaching out as three defenders tried to stop her.
Many more opportunities came and went but for the that final pass. Cold hands were starting to have an effect and at half time the subs gave up their coats and warmth to help those that needed it.
A few changes at the break but no respite as great numbers at training are resulting in more continuity on the pitch.
Holly playing her first game in this new position took to it like duck to water, applying pressure back on the defence from clearance kicks or joining in the attacking line. Her speed and confidence were on show for all to see.
Heather adding her experience to our front five took the ball forward and again created problems. Supported well by Kiara who also gave us more fresh legs in the pack. Taking the ball at pace and being a constant threat. It wasn’t long before Vicky was putting a player on the ground with a crunching tackle.
Throughout the game Paige, Iona and Evie, moving positions again into the midfield, made more space for our dynamos out wide. Jen coming onto the wing soon got herself into game taking the ball forward with very little room to manoeuvre.
Paige punched holes all day in attack and created pressure in defence becoming a menace to any player opposite her. This is allowing the outside players to seize on opportunities to score or break down an attack. This was the case as she took the ball past the gain line and fed it out to Evie who drew in the defence and fed Daisy for her third.
The last try was a typical back row try. A defensive scrum by Retford close to their try line. G was quickly up and off pressurising the ten (maybe a little early) however, she put the tackle in and was first on her feet, over the top and pinched the ball, reached out the grounded the ball. An opportunist try it could be said.
The game was played in great spirits and with only a few minutes left, both captains and ref came together and said enough was enough and the final whistle went.
A good start to 2025, the ever-growing crowd that follow the women’s team all expressed, in the warmth of the clubhouse, how well they are playing, developing and are thoroughly enjoy watching and supporting this team.