With just four months training under their belts, a very excited, albeit slightly apprehensive Matlock Ladies team headed to the blustery pitches at Buxton for their pre-season friendly. For most of the girls this was their first chance to play in a competitive 15-a-side match, test their resolve and play for their club.

After a brief nervy and disorganised start the ladies settled down well under the captaincy of Kate Willis and tightened up their defensive line on the back foot to play some excellent rugby. The pack was strong and the forwards worked extremely hard together through the phases, supporting each other well at the breakdown and recycling the ball with some tough rucking and mauling to keep good possession for significant periods of time.

The back line of Alicia Johnson, Tasha Austen and Ruth Hutchinson worked brilliantly together coordinating the pack and identifying the space. The team’s discipline in passing the ball down the line was great to watch, and with very few handling errors they were able to make the most of gaps in Buxton’s defence, seizing on opportunities for some brilliant breakaway runs from Anna Evans, Saxon Rowan and Lily McCrea who were unlucky not to score.

The Buxton attack was strong and they used their experience to put the visitors under pressure with some powerful runs setting up a number of great tries, but the Matlock ladies gained confidence as the match progressed, tackling with passion and determination to defend territory. Some superb tackles from Netty Reddish, Maria Bolton and Dani Mabert held Buxton in the centre ground for much of the match.

Several brilliant tackles into touch and some fine kicking from Anna Evans gave the forwards plenty of opportunity to test their lineout skills and the girls did a fabulous job in the tricky windy conditions.

The home team fielded an unwavering opposition and ensured the match was a challenging one, giving the Matlock team a chance to test every aspect of their game. With some players having only just joined the team and others recently back from injury, every one of the Matlock ladies stepped up to and beyond the mark; playing their absolute best.

As the final whistle blew, the ladies celebrated a fantastic achievement, despite the score line… to have played their hearts out against a strong, experienced team… to have remained confident and cool-headed… to have focused on everything they have learnt… and to have played with great self-belief and determination.

Well done ladies!

Team: Catherine Addleton, Katie Dawes, Vicky Fisher, Sarah McCarthy, Jenny Khuweis, Dani Mabert, Gemma Hulland, Kate Willis (c), Lisa Coppen, Alicia Johnson, Tasha Austen, Collette Rowan, Saxon Rowan, Lily McCrea, Ruth Hutchinson, Anna Evans, Netty Reddish, Maria Bolton, Tracy Williams