Redruth Albany Ladies 22 - 48 Cheltenham Ladies

Cheltenham Ladies made the long journey down to Redruth, which proved to be their toughest test of the campaign yet, however after a scrappy start they managed to up the intensity to win 22-48.

Redruth started the stronger team and with much of the first half possession, they managed to rattle up a 12-0 lead over the visitors. However after Cheltenham weathered the storm defensively, they were able to show their own attacking credentials with slick hands from the backs giving Briege Williams the opportunity to touch down. This was quickly followed by a brilliantly executed 2 on 1 from Maz Claassens putting Maria Townley away to score under the posts and thus putting Cheltenham right back into the game. A penalty kick from Redruth took the home side into a 15-12 lead at half time.

The coaches half time team talked proved to be just what the ladies needed and after a great line break from Claassens, Cheltenham took the lead and they never looked back.  Maria Townley then scored from a blind move where once again the centres combined beautifully. Strong running from skipper Williams also saw her register her second of the day.

From there on it was the Townley show, as she touched down for 3 more tries, showing excellent tackle evasion and some scintillating lines of running for all of her scores. Bee Mocellin kicked very well ending the day with a 75% success rate and Claassens gave her a little help with one conversion of her own. 

Redruth managed to go in for conciliation try but Cheltenham had already secured the bonus point win down in Cornwall, in what proved to be a great test of the ladies ambition and character.

Paignton Ladies 0 - 87 Cheltenham Ladies

Cheltenham Ladies continued their excellent run of form with a 15 try battering of Paignton to win 87-0. The try fest started when Katie Pittaway made the first of many incisive runs from centre to score under the posts. Less than 1 minute later, Sophie Pascall’s strong running saw her smash her way through the defence to score.

The Cheltenham defence proved to be as good as their attack, as excellent counter rucking saw them turn over another ball and Maz Claassens broke the line to touch down. Then just minutes apart Briege Williams’ scintillating running from fullback saw her score 2 quick tries. The ever-present Pip Payne made countless storming runs and an offload gave Tammy Shakespeare the opportunity to score the first of 2 tries. Caroline Hardy then went over after a sneaky quick tap penalty to take the score to 43-0 at half time.

The momentum continued into the second half with newly converted winger Bee Mocellin cutting an excellent line to dive over the line. The half-century was brought up by a brilliant 60-metre dash to the line from Lauren Williams for her to score a well-deserved try. Great handling in the backs meant Hannah Morgan was able to get on the score sheet and Briege Williams made it a hat trick with a dazzling break up the middle. A blind move from the scrum gave Morgan an opportunity to show her strength and put the ball down for her 2^nd of the day. The forwards not to be outdone finished off the scoring with direct running from replacement Sophie Hinds who touched down, followed by Jude Lack rounding off a great days work with a try of her own. Brilliant kicking from Claassens ended the day with another successful conversion to bring her personal haul to 19.

Cheltenham 84 – 0 Old Redcliffians

 Cheltenham Ladies continued their impressive start to the season with a comprehensive victory over Old Redcliffians Ladies 84-0. Cheltenham were in merciless mood and soon breached the Old Redcliffians defence when Maria Townley burst through to score the first of her four tries of the day.  Cheltenham continued the onslaught with an incisive piece of play out wide which saw winger Laura Hale score in the corner. Not to be out done the forwards began to make their mark on the game with some outstanding breaks from prop Pip Payne and Sophie Pascal. This pressure soon told which led to tries for forward Tammy Shakespeare and Skipper Briege Williams. Pascal rounded off the half with a bulldozing run to the line scoring the first of her two tries.

Cheltenham started the second half in much the same vain with some powerful scrumaging from the pack, including; Amie Stinchcombe, Jude Lack and Aimie Gardener. They continued to find holes in the Old Redcliffians defence and this led to two further tries from Townley and one from Williams. The backline were in top form and centre Maz Classans made a series of scintillating breaks leading to a personal tally of three tries for the man of the match. Influential fly half Bee Mocellin added her own try to complete a 19 point haul.

 Final Score 84-0.

 Cheltenham Ladies off to a flyer.

Oakmedians 5 – 36 Cheltenham

Cheltenham ladies opened their league campaign with a comfortable victory against Oakmedians. Cheltenham started the game in typical domineering style with a trademark converted try from the effervescent Shakespeare. Oakmedians responded quickly with a well taken try.  A tactical kick from the Oakmedians fly half led to B. Williams being given the opportunity to exploit the space with a pacey break leading to Cheltenham once again breaching the Oakmedians defence and securing their second try of the game. The Cheltenham forwards secured solid possession with good rucking from Stinchcombe and Pascal. This allowed Claasens to deliver a killer pass to Townley who evaded a series of tackles to score another Cheltenham try.

The tone for the second half was set early with some powerful play from forwards Pip Payne and J Smith. A prolonged period of pressure resulted in another team try for Cheltenham. The ladies were beginning to take total control of the game through some superb lineout work from L. Williams and support play from Jude and Ruth Berry. This led to two tries being scored in quick succession including a clean break being made by winger Hale. This rounded off a comprehensive victory for the Ladies. Final Score 34-5.

Camphill 15 - 15 Cheltenham

In their second friendly of the season Cheltenham Ladies managed a 15-15 draw against Camphill ladies. Cheltenham faced the daunting prospect of battling it out against a heavy weight Camp hill pack. Camphill had the better of the opening exchanges showing their intent early on with some forward control however Cheltenham showed glimpses of their superior backline with some soft hands from Bee Mocellin and strong running from Maz Claassens. This was soon to play dividends when the vivacious Caroline Hardy took a quick tap penalty and made a dash for the line she then picked out skipper Briege Williams whom scored the opening try. Camphill  responded well with some strong forward play and scored a try which was converted. Cheltenham then produced a scintillating piece of backs play involving Claassens, Townley and ultimately skipper Williams who scored her second try of the game. Cheltenham went into half time with a 10-7 lead.  

Camphill opened the second half with a sustained period of forward pressure and eventually breached the resolute Cheltenham defence to score a try. The Cheltenham forwards rallied themselves with some big tackles and powerful runs from Pip Payne, Aimie Gardner and Sophie Pascal. This led to a breakaway from centre Maria Townley who showed a clean pair of heels to the chasing camphill defence, Williams was again on hand to complete her hatrick of tries. Cheltenham looked to have victory sealed until a late penalty was kicked by the Camphill fly half to level the scores.   

Encouraging start for Cheltenham ladies.

Cheltenham 5 - 24 Bath

Fourteen man Cheltenham Ladies faced the daunting prospect of an opening friendly fixture against a 25 strong Bath squad. Bath started the stronger in the opening exchanges and scored an early try. A team with less spirit may have dropped their heads at this point but the motivational leadership shown by skipper Briege Williams rallied the Ladies together. As the game progressed into the second quarter Cheltenham grew stronger and continually forced Bath into errors with superb tackling from Laura Hale and Sarah Maclaren. Only a swift piece of handling from the Bath centre lead to them breaching the resilient Cheltenham defence. As the second half commenced the Cheltenham forwards gained some superb momentum with some tireless work at the breakdown from Lauren Williams, Aimie Gardner and Sophie Pascal, this setting a platform for Jude Lack to make some powerful breaks into Bath territory. Bath managed to make their numerical advantage pay off by scoring a try out wide.  In the final quarter 14 man Cheltenham were dominating the game. They then produced the move of the match which saw loose forward Tammy Shakespeare make a scintillating break, followed by an exquisite piece of team play between Maz Claassens and Sophie Hinds leading to Hinds driving over for a well deserved score. Brave Cheltenham left the field with their heads held high and ready for the season to begin. Final score 5-24.