Ipswich Womens XV
Matches
Sun 10 Nov 2019  ·  Eastern Counties Women's Merit Table
Haverhill and District RFC XV Women
7
26
Ipswich RFC
Ipswich Womens XV
Tries: G Clements (3)Conversions: G Clements (3)
ESS vs Haverhill 10th Nov

ESS vs Haverhill 10th Nov

Natilie Swateridge12 Nov 2019 - 17:18
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This Sax is on Fire!

Despite the bright sun, it started as a cold day in Felixstowe, where the Saxons set up camp for a Home Game of four 15min Quarters against, good friend’s and last year’s league winners, Haverhill & District. Haverhill’s coach stepped in as Ref after the booked one was a no-show. Then with some lending of players to Haverhill, we played 13-a-side.

As it was remembrance Sunday, we paid our respects with a minute’s silence before the match. Lest we forget, at the going down of the sun, we will remember them.

Captain Emma Murton lost the coin toss, which gave Haverhill the option of receiving, but the choice of which way to face. We went against the sun. However, Emma had forgotten who was receiving which saw both teams set up to receive. The ref quickly corrected Emma, and the Saxons jogged up to form a flat line instead. Haverhill was under the ball to receive and Started to show off the power of their forwards. After a few hammering runs and short balls with their forward pods, Haverhill had made some ground, but the Saxons started fast and strong with a quick pace that put Haverhill on the back foot and managed to turn it over to see, Women of the Match, Georgia Clements, place the ball under the posts within the first 5 mins. Saxons 5 – Haverhill 0.

In the second quarter, after several short balls, Haverhill sent the ball down the hands and out wide to our borrowed player Sue Hart. Sue was face to face with Nat Swateridge, who instead of going for the tackle ripped the ball and put the Saxons back on the defensive. Then off a scrum, our scrumhalf and back of the Match Kel Emmerson broke the line after a quick dummy with Haverhill hot in pursuit. After a couple of forwards balls, Hannah Needle ran through 5 players from the opposition, and was within a meter of the Try line, Toni Kerr could see she was about to get tackled and was screaming for the ball. Then Hannah went to pass the ball, but it went off the pitch as there was no space for anyone to be there. Hard luck Hannah! After a few more attempts of attack from the Saxons, Georgia got her second try of the match and converted. Saxons 12 – Haverhill 0.

The third quarter saw Haverhill take advantage of our tired forwards, who became a little disorganised at the breakdown. There were many Haverhill scrums for slight (arguable) mistakes from the Saxons, with Haverhill’s 8 going blind 75% of the time. The rucks were being rammed by the forwards, who were trying to turn the ball over and hence overcommitted to the rucks. Meaning the Saxon defensive line was wearing thin. Haverhill broke the line but was caught up by the Saxons 5 meters from the line. After 6 attempts they scored they had worked so hard for. Saxons 12 – Haverhill 7.

The conversion gave the Saxons time to have a chat and calm it down with some wise words from Coach Chris. After organising themselves a bit more the Saxons managed to turn the ball over with some fantastic Runs from Emma Murton and Toni Kerr, they set up Georgia Clements for her Hat-trick. Saxons 19 – Haverhill 7.

The final quarter saw the ball be kicked a lot and the ref's whistle pulled things back just as the game got going again. A few hard runs from the Saxons and a pause for a concussion assessment saw the game get down to the final 2 mins. From mid-field, Manon Kinchin spotted a gap and managed to score a Try as the last play of the game. Georgia then converted which got a massive cheer from the home crowd and her team-mates.

With the stop-starts the game took 1hr 45mins to complete a 60 min match, needless to say, the Pints were well enjoyed! Forward of the Match: Alex Radcliffe, Back of the Match: Kel Emmerson, and Women of the Match: Georgia Clements.

Final Score: Saxons 26 – Haverhill 7

Thanks to all those who attended and kept the Saxons Spirits high!

Next Match: ESS vs Southend @ Southend RFC 2 pm KO, 17th November 2019

c. Nat Swateridge

Match details

Match date

Sun 10 Nov 2019

Kickoff

14:15

Meet time

12:30

Attendance

29

Competition

Eastern Counties Women's Merit Table

League position

1
East Suffolk Saxons 1XV
7
Haverhill and District RFC XV Women
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