Lampeter put the bounce back into bouncebackability this past Sunday as they put in one of their best performances in recent memory with an emphatic home win at North Road against visiting Penallta.
The home side started with real intent, keen to keep ball and go through phase after phase of play with forwards and backs interplay to the fore. Indeed, had it not been for an excellent covering tackle from the visiting full back, Lampeter winger Sara Rees-Jones would have given her side the perfect start some 5 minutes into her debut for the Club. However the home faithful did not have to wait long for that all important first score of the afternoon as Lampeter set up camp in the Penallta 22. With skipper Catrin Roberts putting pressure on the visiting lineout, Number 8 Becky Wale was able to capitalise on some loose ball taking a couple of would be tacklers with her on her way to the try line for her first try for the Club.
From the re-start Lampeter went back at Penallta with gusto, strong running from the ever-willing Martha O’Connor, Mandy McDowell, Jo Woolley, Nerys James and Carys Haf Davies to the fore, giving the new look half back pairing of Sue Walker and Laura Thomas the freedom to continue to impress in getting the home three-quarter line moving with pace. With Penallta struggling to bridge wave after wave of attack it was no surprise when the next score came to full back Aisha Aroussi after excellent work in midfield from the fit again Tracey Evendon and ever reliable Charlotte Williams giving the home side a well-deserved 10-0 lead at half time. The only downside for Town being the loss of winger Amy Best as a re-occurrence of an ankle injury forced her from the field after some 20 minutes.
The first quarter of the second half was a stop start affair, with both sides struggling to string together any meaningful passages of play, however all credit to Lampeter for rallying as they entered the last quarter as the home forwards once again got the upper hand, typified by the efforts of debutant Katie Astbury and prop Shirley Jones enjoying one of her best performances in a maroon shirt. It was no surprise therefore when Lampeter touched down for their 3rd score of the afternoon, and a second for Wale in-front of the Clubhouse with centre Williams adding the extras.
With a bonus point in touching distance, Lampeter continued to press for that all important 4th try and it was fitting that this came in the 80th minute from a well worked training ground move as Wale and Davies combined well before recycled quick ball allowed the impressive O’Connor to cap a fine all round performance with her first try for the Club, bringing a smile to the faces of players, coaches and supporters alike.
Next week Lampeter travel to Haverfordwest looking to build on this all important win.