7/10/07 - Cheltenham Ladies RFC vs. Southampton Trojans RFC

 The Prince of Wales Stadium on Sunday saw Cheltenham meet Trojans in a clash of wills, with both teams having a point to prove after being promoted to National Championship 1 this season from their respective leagues.

After a scrappy start from both sides, Cheltenham’s nerves appeared to settle and they started to play a tactical game.  Heavily outweighed up front, Cheltenham’s forwards had to work hard to maintain strength in the scrum against an experienced and well drilled Trojans pack but with the level headed leadership of Prop Amy Gardner Cheltenham did well to hold their own in the first half.  Some assertive play by Fly Half Bee Mocelin kept the Trojan’s defence guessing by utilising the strength and speed of the Cheltenham backline in a number of damaging runs.  Trojans were quick of the mark to pile on the pressure in every ruck and Cheltenham’s lack of decisive counter-rucking gave Trojan’s centres opportunity to scramble the Cheltenham defence.  Patience and safe handling finally gave Cheltenham the opportunity they were looking for, when they were able to release Winger Briege Williams down the left line for a well executed try, convincingly converted by Mocelin.

However, never to be underestimated, Trojan’s forwards were quick to reply catching the Cheltenham defence half asleep and gaining rapid ground with powerful pick and drives, before steaming their Number 8 over for a try.  Cheltenham realising that they needed to raise their game, stepped up to counter attack with a number of well worked line outs with new Hooker Tamsyn Kelson looking confident and consistent.  Impressive delivery from Scrum Half Caroline Hardy kept the attack flowing with Cheltenham Centre Maz Classens gaining ground and releasing quick ball giving Winger Sarah MacLaren the space to dive for the line just before half time.

The second half saw a revitalised Cheltenham keep up the pressure on an attacking Trojans side with Open side Flanker Naomi Dillon pushing the opposition’s Fly Half to make some rash decisions.  Cheltenham seemingly lacking the aggression in open contact that they usually display  instead concentrated on retaining possession from a try hungry opposition although a number of defensive errors saw Fullback Maria Townley forced to make some heated tackles.  After some static play, an inspirational break from Cheltenham’s veteran number 8 Tammy Shakespeare saw her cross the line with characteristic determination.

Cheltenham must acknowledge that they made hard work of this game against an ever strong opposition and although they should be pleased with another win, need to step it up a gear for next week’s clash against a strong Bath team away from the safety of home turf. 

Final score 17-5 (Cheltenham win)           

Team:

A Gardner, T Kelson, B Chapman, C Beck, J Lack, V Smith, N Dillion, T Shakespeare, C Hardy, B Mocelin, M Classens, D Love, B Williams, S Maclaren, M Townley.  Replacements, L Hale, R Berry, A Stinchcombe, H Morgan

23/9/07 Cheltenham Ladies RFC vs Plymouth Albion (Away)

Sunday saw Cheltenham’s first real challenge of the season in their promotion to National Championship 1, facing the experience and strength of Plymouth on their home turf.  With a number of experienced players absent, positional changes and some very welcome new faces in the team for this season, the first half saw Cheltenham start positively, applying constant pressure to the home side with a number of dynamic breaks from Maz Classens and Danni Love in the centre, freeing up space for Cheltenham’s rapid back line of new-comer Maria Townley, Briege Williams and Sarah Maclaren to gain ground with great delivery under pressure from influential scrum half Caroline Hardy.  Plymouth exploited areas of weakness in Cheltenham’s structure and scored twice but after some brilliant handling and vision from the team, Williams burst through the gap to score a determined try in the corner.  During the second half Cheltenham’s forwards worked hard against a strong opposition, meeting them shove for shove in every scrum.  Number 8 Suzi Jones and Cheltenham’s new captain Catherine Beck stirred and created some dilemmas for Plymouth by punching numerous holes in the defensive line with the back row making a barrage of big hits on the Plymouth attack.  Even with continual defensive strength from Cheltenham, and some inspired kicking from Bee Mocellin the experience of their opposition shone through, with Plymouth regaining their momentum in the final 20 minutes and running in a number of tries, after some superior rucking.  Cheltenham have taken a lot away from this game and look to step up their play in their next fixture against Southampton’s Trojans.

Final score 32 – 5  (Plymouth win) 

Team:

A Gardner, T Kelson, B Chapman, C Beck, J Lack, V Smith, S Jones, T Shakespeare, C Hardy, B Mocellin, M Classens, D Love, B Williams, S Maclaren, M Townley.  Replacements, L Hale, R Berry, M Denis

Cheltenham Ladies 12 - 5 Blackheath Ladies

Awaiting Match report

02/12/07 Cheltenham Ladies vs Plymouth Albion Ladies

A wet and windy Sunday saw Cheltenham meet Plymouth at the Prince of Wales stadium for an important Championship One South clash.  After having to make a number of changes due to illness and injury Cheltenham started the game well, eager to protect their eighteen month record of being undefeated at home. 

The poor conditions meant that both teams had to play a close possession game with the forwards engaging in rolling mauls and close combat through quick pick ups.  After some strong scrimmaging and tactical kicks from stand-in fly half Maz Classens, Cheltenham’s forwards found themselves with a lineout on ten metres away from Plymouth’s try line.  Accurate delivery from hooker Tamsyn Kelson to front jumper Tammy Shakespeare initiated a quick catch-and-drive from the pack, forcing Plymouth back to see second row Amy Stinchcombe, diving over the line closely followed by a number of defenders for what Cheltenham thought was a clear try, only to be disallowed by the referee and a deflated Cheltenham were reset for a five metre scrum which was defended well under pressure by Plymouth and saw the experienced boot of the Plymouth Fly Half. 

The conditions were making the game a physical slog for both teams as they battled ferociously through the mud for possession.  Both teams attempted to release their backs to gain some much needed ground and Plymouth used their strength in the centre to punch holes in the Cheltenham defence but Cheltenham defended well and forced errors to gain turnover opportunities.  After another impressive line out by Cheltenham and some great delivery by Scrum Half Caroline Hardy, the home side’s persistence paid off with a storming run from Full Back Sarah Maclaren over the line.

Shortly before half time an infringement around the ruck gave Plymouth a kick at the posts which put them back in the game.

The second half saw much of the same with both sides battling to retain possession in the poor playing conditions, Cheltenham made some daring breaks in the centre from centres Naomi Dillon and Maria Townley taking the team inches from the Plymouth try line only to be denied by the strength of the opposition’s defence.  With twenty minutes of the game left, Plymouth maximised on a lapse in Cheltenham’s concentration with an impressive break from the half way line to frustrate Cheltenham further by crossing the try line and taking the lead.  Cheltenham continued to apply pressure, desperate to regain their lead and moment of strong running and flair from Flanker Sophie Hinds saw Plymouth pushed back in defence but Cheltenham were unable to respond.

 Final score Plymouth Albion 8 – Cheltenham Ladies 5      

Team: 

P Payne, T Kelson, A Gardner, S Beck, A Stinchcombe, V Smith, J Lack, T Shakespeare, C Hardy, M Classens, M Townley, N Dillion, R Berry, H Morgan, S Maclaren