Chippenham Girls Impressive Against Old Rivals

They weren't expecting that!

Well what a game! After 2 tough defeats in the last 2 games and facing a team that has historically been a tough one for Chippenham, we were all wondering how the team would respond. But as I have often commented in these reports, Chippenham Girls always seem to keep their heads up and play hard regardless of circumstances and it was apparent that the setbacks of the previous games were not going to dampen the team spirit. In fact it was evident that the team had reflected on the past 2 games and worked hard to address the areas that needed it.

The game was played as 11 a side with 3 x 20 minute periods in light rain. Chippenham Kick off.

The first 8 minutes were evenly matched. Chippenham won the first Richians scrum letting the opposition know how the game was going to go. Normally Richians would be getting the upper hand, winning breakdowns, but It was great to see Chippenham arriving at the breakdowns with more physicality than usual and more engagement from supporting players.

The first try came after a scrum, won by Chippenham, the backs carried the ball to the 22 before being caught, the forwards drove over the ball, out to Poppy who beats a couple of tackles to get over the line.

Conversion missed – 5:0

Richians restarted with a deep kick, straight to Megan R, in space. Megan runs the ball up to around the 22 before getting caught and passing to Oumou who sprints the rest of the way for try number 2.

Megan misses the conversion – 10:0

Richians restart and this time kick deep to Nadia! Nadia in space makes up plenty of ground before being caught. The next try came after some more forward play, a good drive from Orla, picked up by Emily, passed out to Lani then out to Megan who runs in from the 10yd line to place the ball behind the posts.

Megan Converts – 17:0

End of first third.

Old Richians must have taken stock during the break as they started the second third much stronger, they played well and worked the ball up the pitch through several phases, eventually releasing the ball out to the backs who ran in their first try. Dare I mention it was Lani in a Richians shirt who scored the try! Good to see CRFC players playing in the spirit of the game, not all teams do.

Conversion missed – 17:5

There is then another 10-12 minutes of even play with no score, very much a forwards game with both teams working hard to win ball. One ruck stood out to me where Richians were defending their ball and Colleen led the drive, pushing Richians back to put Chippenham over the ball for Oumou to pick up. Out of a Chippenham scrum on the half way line, the ball is passed quickly out to the backs and Megan runs in for the try.

Megan converts – 24:5

Some more good driving and rucking sees Chippenham forwards push up to the halfway before the ball spins out to Mollie who beats a tackle before sprinting in from the half way line.

Megan converts – 31:5

End of second third.

Mollie obviously enjoyed scoring her try so much she decided to do it again. The ball goes out to the edges and with another long sprint Mollie is unchallenged and put in another try.

Megan Converts – 38:5

Another strong passage of play with Chippenham controlling the rucks, a good time to mention the constant hard work from Ellie and from Faith ever present to get the ball out and moving and Megan working the ball out for the backs. From another such ruck the ball is spun out to Mollie who passes the ball out mid tackle, to Megan R who is clear to run in another try.

Megan Converts - 45:5

Old Richians are kept under pressure even with possession and from near the 10 yd line one of them attempts a clearance kick, straight into the arms of Megan R. Megan charges as far as the 22 before being caught but has Abi in support, gets the pass away and Abi runs over for the try and round behind the post.

Megan Converts – 52:5

One of the last passages of play sees Faith beating most of Richians team single handedly in a great run that broke several tackles. She was eventually caught but got the ball away to Oumou who continued the move with a long run as far as the 5yd line before being caught resulting in a scrum.

The final try was the result of fast ball out to loose players, Nadia making a lovely run and passing to Mollie for an easy run in under the posts.

Megan converts - 59:5

Full time. 59:5

A great game to watch and a great boost to the team. Seeing them learn from previous games and reap the rewards for that learning was very satisfying. If the team keeps learning and keeps working hard they have the potential to surprise more of the teams that expect to win.