Danni Phillips try hat-trick as Withy ladies chalk up 50 points in win at Totnes

Withycombe ladies started their 2019 fixture schedule with a superb all-round show that saw them score eight tries in a 50-5 win at Totnes.

The packs were evenly matched throughout the game, but in possession, Withies were able to lay a platform that enabled the backs to move through the gears and exploit the spaces created.

The first 20mins saw possession change hands several times, but it was Withycombe who looked the more composed. The resolute Totnes defence was eventually broken when Danni Philips went clear to score under the posts with Enya Surtees converting and shortly after Surtees scored her own try in the corner. This galvanised the home team and Totnes forwards gained some momentum with a series of drives. Despite the Withy defence standing firm for some time a penalty created a gap for Totness to cross the line for what was to be their only points of the afternoon.

Almost immediately from the restart, Totnes tried to clear their lines, but the ball was kicked invitingly to fullback, Bridget Culver who evaded several tackles to run in under the posts. Shortly before half time, Amy Gillard pounced on some hesitation in defence to give some breathing space for the Exmouth side.

The second half saw a better game of territory by Withies. Both Phillips and Surtees made inroads into the Totness line with a mixture of pace and aggression: Phillips running round most of the team to score her second try shortly after the restart. Sian Williams and Molly Tregedeon came close to scoring, with the latter making the ball available for Culver cross from close range. By now there was some flowing team play with offloads from all players. Phillips’ hat trick came from one such move started by ‘forward of the match’ Carol Glover at a line out and finished on the other side of the pitch. This was followed by one of the best plays created by ‘back of the match’ Katie Down with Jen Brammer using her pace to score under the posts. Surtees slotted home her fifth conversion to take the score to 50 points and their biggest league win.

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