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Richmond II 18 - 5 Cheltenham
Here we go again then for another tale of Cheltenham ladies on the road.
On a day of blustering winds and driving rain we boarded the coach and
headed for Richmond. We got to the ground and everyone ran out and
warmed up, Richmond had thrashed Sarries the previous week 45-0 so were
in a confident mood. Richmond started brightly and their 10 mixed up the
game with several passes, carries and chips over the top. It was all
coming to nothing though as the Cheltenham defence was well to the fore.
Loll Williams and the everyoung Bloomers were strong at the breakdown
and excelled at disrupting the ruck area. A good break from Zoe Beer,
who really came into her own during the match, set up a promising
attacking position but Richmond's backs defended superbly and a turned
over ball was sent deep into the Cheltenham half, Briege Williams picked
it up and while trying to counter got caught and at the resulting ruck
Cheltenham were penalised for an infringement which was duly kicked 3-0.
Cheltenham were rallied by this and hit back hard, the two pods worked
well and the ball was spread quickly to one touchline and then back the
other way, neat hands from Lucy Pascall and Meg Youdan put Briege away
for the score 5-3, conv missed. From another kick through a good
attacking platform was set up for Richmond and they swept the ball from
one touchline to the other, Hannah Morgan was completely outnumbered 3-1
and the winger went in for the score. 8-5 conv missed.
Cheltenham attacked again from the re-start but were getting little
change from a Richmond backs line that were well organised and very
pacey. Richmond were turned over and the resulting boot down field saw
Briege collect the ball and attack but she was pulled up for crossing
(if the tackler had gogo gadget arms she wouldn't of tackled her!) but
from the resulting quick tap Cheltenham failed to re-organise and
Richmond walked in a soft score conv kicked 15-5.
The story for the rest of the game was the same. Lots of attacking
endeavour from both teams but turnovers and dropped passes prevented
more scores. Caitlin playing her first game for Cheltenham mixed the
game up really well from 10 and Meg and Kayleigh Winser both made their
fair share of breaks and were rocks in defence all afternoon. The entire
second half comprised of Cheltenham trying to get back the scores that
would see them back into contention however, they just lacked a bit of
composure and overlaps were not used because of dropped balls and final
passes were not going to hand. The pack fought manfully, the ever
improving Anna Mundy carried strongly and Zoe tackled her heart out. A
yellow card for not retreating and tackling a player at a penalty in
front of the posts meant Anna left the pitch for 10mins, in the period
that Cheltenham were down to 14 we conceded one kickable penalty. That
was the final score 18-5.
Cheltenham kept the bonus point and are still on course for a mid table
finish. Special mentions go out to the pack, they scrumaged like demons,
the lineout worked well and was very composed, the rucking on the whole
was good too. The backs all played their part today, Hannah and Lucy
running great supporting lines and making their tackles when they needed
to. Kayleigh and Meg for letting very little through the midfield and
player of the match performances from Caitlin short and Zoë beer.
Cheltenham 12 - 10 Plymouth Albion
Well Cheltenham's
topsy turvey season
continued, another
hard fought game
this time against
Plymouth Albion.
Cheltenham started
brightly, slipped
straight into their
playing style and
after executing
sweeping play from
side of the pitch to
the other, Pip Payne
crashed over for a
score after 5 mins,
Maz Claassens duly
converted 7-0.
Cheltenham had their
tails up and went
straight back at
Plymouth from the
re-start, something
strange happened to
Cheltenham though.
For the first time
in almost four years
they stopped playing
like a team. The
ball was never
spread wide, and
when it was people
didn't expect it and
they dropped balls.
It was the most
error strewn match I
have seen the girls
play. Having said
that the forwards
preformed manfully
rucking hard, and
the scrum was the
best it had been all
season. Big mentions
need to go to Pip,
Bloomers and Anna
who preformed
exceptionally well
on the day. Tammy
and Jude worked
their socks off at
breakdown time and
1-8 the pack fought
like heroes for the
ball. The lack of an
orthodox ten meant
that very often
there was no target
for the nine to hit
and because of this
the ball was often
wildly slung out and
just carried into
contact by the next
person. Lucy and Meg
both made great
breaks on several
occasions but lack
of support meant
that the chances
went begging.
Half time came and
went and Plymouth
were the happier
team as for all
Cheltenham's
endeavour they were
still only 7 points
down. Plymouth
started the second
half strongly and
after a series of
rucks on the
Cheltenham 5 metre
line they finally
crashed over for the
score. The game
followed the same
pattern for the next
30 mins. Then a
break out from
Plymouth as a fly
hacked ball led to a
chase into the
Cheltenham 22, the
bounce cruelly took
it away from the
diving meg and
another toe poke
took it into the
scoring zone away
from Maz and the ply
player dived on it
putting them ahead
10-7. Then the
Cheltenham team
fought back hard,
with both teams at
the foot of the
table Cheltenham
knew a win would
take them clear and
maybe that's why
such nervous
handling had come
about. but in the
dying moments,
Briege Williams
emerged from the
back of a ruck with
the ball and showed
great strength to
ride a tackle and
then beat the
fullback to score.
Cheltenham came away
from the game 12-10
winners and now sit
5th in the table
with two wins and
one losing bonus
point.
I know I have
praised the forward
effort a lot in this
game, but big
mentions to the
backs too, Kayleigh
and Meg were superb
defensively and I
know Lucy and Hannah
didn't have a lot to
do but when they had
to step up they did
exceptionally well.
Saracens II 19
- 13 Cheltenham
Well girls another week and another humdinger of a game!
We travelled to Sarries and on a postage sized stamp of a pitch took on the current league leaders. After last weeks emphatic win over Bath, the team wanted to build on this with a result at Sarries. From the kick off Sarries game plan was obvious, on a small pitch they put the ball up the jumper and trundled down the pitch with their behemoths from the front row. They pounded the Cheltenham line and were continually repelled, but the big problem was Cheltenham couldn't get any primary possession. The ruck area was a problem with Sarries diving over and killing the ball at every opportunity. Cheltenham fought manfully but gave away 2 early scores. Bean kicked a penalty to reduce the deficit to 12 - 3. Another penalty from Bean was pushed wide and the half ended with Cheltenham in the ascendancy but not getting the score they needed.
The second half started and Cheltenham began strongly but more cheating from Sarries resulted in their number 8 being sent to the bin. Cheltenham capitalised on the numerical advantage and scored a try from a quick tap by Maz off loading to the marauding Tammy who raced in for the score.
Sarries hit back and from the result of a lot of trundling, finally forced their way over the line. The defence held the girl up, and she committed a double movement but the ref still awarded the try. Cheltenham hit back again though with Maz to the fore, some good offloading and a brilliantly executed 2 on 1 from Briege sent Clare Simpson racing for the line. She was caught just short but gave a good offload to who else but Tammy and she ran in for her second try. Both conversions were missed by Cheltenham leaving the scores at 19-13. A bit frustrating as we knew they were beatable but a point from Sarries away I would have taken at the start of the game and was really pleased with the Cheltenham determination and spirit throughout. On another day we would have run rings round them on a pitch with some width. Job well done girls.
Cheltenham 24 - 19 Bath
Well girls here we
are with the next
thrilling instalment
of the league so
far, following last
weeks win against
Supermarine the
squad were keen to
capitalise on this
going into our first
home league game
against a Bath side
that hadn't lost in
the league for 2
seasons. Training
through the week had
been good, (a small
amount of beasting
from myself, I know
thats hard to
believe) but the
attitude of the
squad had changed
for the better. You
could sense an air
of excitement in the
warm up, the girls
were really up for
it and the intensity
at the start was
good. Right from the
first whistle
Cheltenham fired
into the Bath team,
hitting rucks hard
and carrying at
their midfield
strongly. Then the
first opportunity
came with a sweeping
move, quick hands
from the resulting
ruck sent Hannah
flying down the wing
she stepped infield
to take the
challenge of the
fullback, the ruck
was quick and a
knock on in the
midfield denied
Cheltenham a score
with Bath in
defensive disarray.
Bath attacked back
strongly and one
poor missed tackle
allowed them in for
the first try,
converted too 7-0.
This visibly lifted
Cheltenham, and two
minutes later a
break by Meg was
then finished by
Lucy who outpaced
the winger and
fullback to score in
the corner,
conversion missed
7-5.
From the re-start
strong carries by
Loll and Tammy set
Kayleigh free and
her miss pass found
in Briege in a bit
of space and she out
paced the cover and
stood up the
fullback to go in
for the score, Bean
converted 12-5. For
the next 10-15 mins
the game was full of
attacking endeavour
from both teams but
a few crucial times
the offload or
execution of the
pass denied scoring
opportunities, in
the last 2 mins of
the half Bath scored
out wide and missed
the conversion
12-12.
Half time came and
went, Cheltenham
girls felt confident
that they could hurt
Bath and decided to
come out all guns
blazing, several
breaks from Kayleigh
and Meg should have
resulted in more
scores but again a
little bit of
composure was
lacking at the
crucial moments.
Then the ever
improving Bog broke
the bath line again
stood up the
fullback with a
little show and go
and went in under
the posts it was no
less than she
deserved for all her
hard work around the
park. Bean converted
19-12.
Bath changed their
game plan and
decided to keep
kicking territory
against us, they
also resorted to try
and disrupt our
lineout possession
by pulling down and
interfering with our
jumpers and every
possibility (the ref
never really picked
up on this and
probably should have
binned them for it
or given a lot more
penalties our way).
They were camped on
the Cheltenham line
but resolute defence
held them out and
eventually
Cheltenham won a
scrum. From this
though a speculative
pass from Loll
evaded all of the
midfield and the
Bath player coasted
in behind to dab the
loose ball down for
a try, duly
converted 19-19.
Cheltenham were
determined not to
lose this game
though and showed a
resilience and
character to get
straight back at
them. a few phases
were played and then
a good sweeping move
saw Kayleigh break
the line the ball
went quickly to
Briege who stepped
back in against the
drift popped the
ball to the
supporting Kayleigh
who showed great
strength to stay on
the pitch and her
offload sent Lucy
down the 5 metre
channel where she
stood the fullback
up and went in for
the score 24-19
(conversion missed).
The last 5 mins were
tense but eventually
Cheltenham won a
penalty and kicked
the ball dead for
the final whistle
and the win.
Special mentions
need to go to the
pack who rucked
fantastically all
game, from 1-8 they
were all my heroes.
Lil Laura who
suffered a
dislocated thumb
whilst having
arguably the best
game I have seen her
play in Cheltenham
shirt. Maz who
really led from 7
all day by example
fired into every bit
of contact and
showed what an asset
to the pack she is.
Bog who is rapidly
becoming a great
hooker and really
coming on leaps and
bounds. I could
probably name
everyone who took to
the field here if
I'm honest, great
win girls and just
remember we are the
Chelt all blacks!
Supermarines 5 - 26 Cheltenham
Well girls here we are with the next instalment of Cheltenham's up and
down season so far.
After last weeks drubbing at the hands of OA saints a good performance
was needed against Supermarine to install some confidence back into the
team. The game started scrappily with both sides turning over possession
at ruck time, some scrappy passing was clearly still the problem of a
lack of confidence from last weeks game. However a good slice move sent
Bean surging through the marines backline and only a slightly wayward
pass from her stopped Cheltenham racing in for a first score. This was a
bit of a spark that Cheltenham needed and a couple of wrap around moves
between Maz and Meg sent Clare Simpson free up the wing, a good offload
continued the attack and after a break by Pip Payne from the resulting
ruck quick hands saw bean score and convert her try.
The rest of the first half was uneventful possession swapped hands
several times and marines spent the last 10 mins camped on Cheltenham
line but continually repelled by great defence. Second half started and
Cheltenham fired up from the whistle started to smash the rucks harder
and win some clean ball, a few knock-ons at crucial times saw a hatful
of opportunities go missing. Then came the breakthrough Cheltenham had
deserved, good hands set Lucy Pascall free and from the resulting ruck
good service saw Maz hit through the centres and a good offload allowed
Clare to score by the posts, Maz converted. Bean had to be subbed with a
shoulder injury moving Maz to ten and Jude to full back. Supermarines
had no real answer to Cheltenhams aggressive defence and resorted to
kicking the ball, Jude showed great composure at the back of the line
fielding the ball and setting up good targets for the forwards to ruck.
She also had one great kick back up field and from her resulting chase
tackled the girl seconds after she fielded the ball! Briege you have
competition!!!!lol. The backs def had their tails up now and Cheltenham
forwards were doing so much better at the breakdown area that it was
only a matter of time before the next try came, good distribution from
Clare allowed meg to hit the gap brilliantly and scorch past the
covering fullback to score under the posts. With 10mins left on the
clock Supermarines hacked the ball through and managed to win the ball
from the resulting ruck. Cheltenham hadn't numbered off properly and
Lucy was left with two players to mark and consequently couldn't prevent
marines going over for a try, they missed the conversion. Eager to make
amends Cheltenham hit hard from the restart, turned the ball over from
the ruck and quick hands put Lucy Pascall into the space and she raced
in for the score she deserved for all of her aggressive hard work
throughout the game. Maz missed the conversion but Cheltenham had
managed to run out 26-5 winners and gain some much needed confidence
before next weeks home league encounter against Bath.
Old Albanians 77 - 0 Cheltenham
Well here we are our
first league game
and with a few
players finding
themselves out of
position, a few
injured that were
strapped up and sent
onto the pitch to
open our league
campaign against OA
saints. Almost
straight from the
kick off the alarm
bells had started to
ring as neat
handling from OA
backs sent their
giant winger (I mean
giant!), free and
once she had got
into her stride
proved difficult to
catch up as she
scored in the
corner. 5 mins later
more problems for
Cheltenham as a good
early ball back
inside allowed the 8
to go rampaging
through the defence
and great support
lines resulted in
another touchdown. I
will keep this
report brief, as we
lost by a staggering
77-0! Many of the
tries came from the
OA backs exploiting
a dog leg hole
created by Zoe's
inexperience at full
back and she
couldn't recover to
fill in the hole
quickly enough
always leaving a gap
to be taken and OA's
duly did.
This was far and
away the best team
that the girls had
played against but
special mentions
need to go to
Kayleigh whose
defensive effort was
fantastic and looked
a far better player
on the flank than in
the centre the
previous week.
Lauren Williams who
although she wasn't
captain, really took
the lead today, Anna
who propped like a
trojan, and lil
Laura who covered so
much ground in
attack and defence
and was rightfully
back of the match.
Cheltenham had good
spells and attacked
well with the ball
in hands but too
often ran out of
numbers at ruck time
at crucial moments
and try scoring
opportunities went
begging. lots to
build on before bath
in a couple of weeks
and looking forward
to having some key
personnel back.
Cheltenham 22 - 22 Camphill
Well
on a sunny Sunday
afternoon the old
rivalry between Camp
hill and Cheltenham
ladies resumed once
again.It was a
closely contested
game with the
initial exchanges
all going Camp hills
way. They took an
early lead when the
centres for
Cheltenham got their
drift wrong allowing
the hills 7 to latch
onto a pass from jo
hart and score by
the uprights after
only 6 mins, the
resulting conversion
made it 7-0 in as
many minutes. A
penalty against
Cheltenham 2 mins
later allowed Camp
hill to further
increase their lead
to 10-0. Cheltenham
got a second wind
after this, good
work from captain
Maz stealing the
ball, quick hands
from Hannah at 10 to
Kayleigh and Meg who
set Lucy Pascall
free down the left
wing. A last ditch
tackle by the
fullback stopped her
opening the scoring,
but a quick recycle
and play spread
quickly to the other
side of the pitch
where Tammy
Shakespeare released
Bean who raced into
the corner to score.
The conversion was
missed and within 5
mins of the restart
the Cheltenham team
were on the back
foot, again
indecision
defensively from the
centres allowed jo
hart to once again
expose the hole and
race in for the
score. Conversion
kicked scores now
17-5. Half time
couldn't come quick
enough for
Cheltenham, a few
choice words, an
increase in the
intensity and the
girls came out fired
up for the second
half. A Romeo move
in our 22 worked
well but the second
pod was missing at
the ruck allowing
hill to turn the
ball over and quick
hands allowed jo
hart in again but
the conversion was
missed 22-5 now the
score. This really
fired Cheltenham up,
they started to
clear the rucks with
more ferocity and
brought their
defensive line up
better. meg came to
the fore for all
that was good in the
middle of the pitch.
Anna at prop shored
up the scrum and
gave Cheltenham a
platform, 3 quick
phases saw Hannah
release Lucy who
shot down the wing
and handed off the
full back to score
22-10. From the
restart the game was
a bit scrappy but
then Cheltenham
again spread the
ball well, Laura
made a great break,
and new scrum half
Ashleigh fed Sal
Thornton who raced
through to score
under the posts,
Bean kicked the
conversion 22-17.
Changes at fly half
paid instant rewards
with Bean moving to
ten, Maz reverting
to twelve and
Kayleigh swapping to
the flank. From the
restart Cheltenham
turned the ball over
and powerful surges
from pip, then
Kayleigh laid the
platform, quick
hands set Meg
through the
defensive line and
she offloaded to
Pascall to score in
the corner 22-22,
Maz missed the
touchline conversion
leaving the scores
all square
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