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Match Report: Ladies secure the win vs Ashford away

Match Report: Ladies secure the win vs Ashford away

Millie Ross6 Nov 2017 - 14:47
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In a game of pace vs power, the SCRFC back line won the day

Forward of the Match - Malin Lundin; Back of the Match - Erin Fairley

After beating top of the table Canterbury in the previous game, and with the strongest team sheet that Streatham-Croydon ladies have seen to date, the team made the long journey to Ashford in good spirits and ready for the challenge. In the early stages of the game it was obvious that the centre pairing of Phili May and Helena Solomon were going to have to work hard in defence, as Ashford's powerful centre Kelly Davies brushed off the tackles. An early electric run from full back Dani Davies put the first points on the scoreboard, her own conversion attempt unfortunately hit the post. A series of strong defense and good hard running from the forwards were frustrated by Ashford's strength at the breakdown, stripping Streatham of the ball on a few occasions where they were threatening. After spending a period camped in their own half, fly-half Millie Ross put boot to ball and cleared to beyond the half-way. A great chase from new winger Steph put the ball in Dani's hands again, and a similar run brought the score to 10-0 with a few minutes to go before the end of the half. Unfortunately, Ashford's dominance in the pack was beginning to show and a penalty advantage for holding on led to a quick tap and them powering over in the corner leading to a half time score of 10-5.

It was evident that to score tries Streatham-Croydon needed to utilise their assets in the backs and Phili and Helena worked well together to keep threatening the strong Ashford centres. A trademark arcing run by Phili was finished by Helena under the posts, via the hands of the Captain, for a good team try. Back of the match Erin Fairley wanted some of the action and a tap penalty in the Streatham 22 saw some running rugby as they played out of their half and shipped the ball wide to see her scorching down the wing, and impressing the crowd, for an 80m try.

A yellow card for prop Alix Bushnell for collapsing the scrum meant some changes in the front row and the scrum was having a difficult time under the pressure of the size and power of the Ashford forwards. A great defensive shift from flanker Malin Lundin ensured that the Ashford fly-half had a tough time getting the ball to their powerful runners in the backs, however the forwards were able to continue to make metres and Ashford powered over twice more towards the end of the second half as they capitalised on their strength, bringing the score to 24-17. A brilliant break from back row Mel Anderson put Skipper Millie Ross over in the last play of the game for what would have been a bonus point try, and her first league try with the club, but it was not to be - it was brought back for a forward pass and time was called. A facial fracture to double try scorer Dani Davies will put her out of action for a couple of weeks but the ladies are demonstrating a depth in squad that can hopefully dig deep for their next match at home against Beccehamians on the 12th November.

Forward of the Match: Malin Lundin
Back of the Match: Erin Fairley

Scorers: Dani Davies (2T, 1C), Helena Solomon (1T), Erin Fairley (1T), Malin Lundin (1C)

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