Match Report
Rushden & Higham Ladies 48 - 20 Ampthill Ladies
Match Store: Store
The Ampthill Lionesses made the short trip to Rushden Hurricanes in their first outing for almomst 2 years. The squad boasted 8 players making their debuts with 2 Lionesses playing their first game of adult rugby, 4 playing their first ever game of rugby!
Rebecca Mallard opens the scoring with a try for Rushden & Higham Ladies
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
The nerves certainly told with Rushden starting fast with their hard running centres and back row putting dents in the defensive line and the Lionesses soon found themselves 17-0 down!
Confuision over the game at hand, Rushden & Higham Ladies switch to Leap Frog…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Up stands Captain fantastic with some wise words (and a couple of small pointers from the coaches) and Ampthill finally got their hands on the ball. Then came some hard carries from Beth Knaggs, Sammie Godleman, Sofia Kruszewska and Lilly Staniford, the latter showing great pace and strength to get round the defence to make the scores 17-5.
Lilly Staniford powers through the defences to score for Ampthill Ladies
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Ampthill were now getting the better of Rushden in the loose and were playing all the phase rugby and just reward was another try for Lilly Staniford to end the half 29-10.
Lilly Staniford grabs her second try of the match just before the break
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Ampthill started the second half brightly with Sofia Kruszewska crashing over to make it 29-15.
Sofia Kruszewska with a determined effort to make it over the line for Ampthill Ladies.
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Rushden then came back into the game and stretched the scores out to 48-15 but the Lionesses never dropped their heads and finished the game strongly with Charlotte “Mona Lott” Saunders crashing over from close range to finish the game 48-20.
Charlotte Saunders pops her cherry by scoring her first ever try!
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Coaches Comments
Really proud of this bunch of Ladies who never gave up and had it not been for 3 kick and chase tries (with Rushden getting the bounce of the ball each time) the score would have been much more reflective of the game.
The Ampthill Lionesses: Players and Coaches on the Day!
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
The Lionesses back row worked tirelessly in defence all day and carried hard in attack and player of the match could have been given to several players, however it had to go to Lilly Staniford for her ever willingness to carry the ball in attack and her tenacious defence (including several turnovers!)
Full Time
Rushden Ladies: 48
Ampthill Ladies: 20
