Fierce Finish from the ONs Ladies!

On Sunday the 23rd of April, the Old Northamptonians Ladies team had their final league game against Maidstone, at home.
Maidstone started the game with a kick, which went straight into Cheryl Smith’s hands who managed to out manoeuvre her opposition on the wing and at fullback and ran ¾ of the pitch to score ONs opening try within minutes of kick off. Christina Kiarie then converted the kick. 7-0 to ONs.
Another kick saw the ball in the hands of Louisa Burgham who ran strong through the defence. When taken down the forwards rucked well to allow Sophie Slope to pass the ball out to the backs. Swift hands saw the ball back with Louisa who ran to score under the posts, taking the score to 12-0.
This became 17-0 when Cheryl had ball in hand yet again and ran towards the try line, being stopped about 10 metres short. The forwards rucked over and picked up the ball, with Stephanie Radoja driving forward. A quick offload to Cheryl saw the ball over the try line again.
A knock on, turned the ball over to Maidstone in a scrum, but was won back by Mikayla Butler's hooking and passed from Sophie to Nikita McGuigan who attempted a kick and chase, which was slightly deflected by a Maidstone player. The kick still went over the opposition and was picked up by Louisa who ran to the try line to score again. 22-0.
Great runs were seen by Stephanie and Laura Wychel. Mikayla jackalled a ball with great accuracy. As Maidstone were trying to charge down the wing, Megan Jones delivered a big tackle to push her into touch. The ball was turned back over to give ONs possession and the backs passed it swiftly along to Cheryl, who ran in with Hena Kaur providing great support. Christine converted again - 29-0.
Good forward phases, with solid rucks and working around the corner until the ball got to Louisa again who scored - 34-0.
The ball was back in Maidstone's hands running down the pitch until Nikita put in a strong tackle to slow them down. Further strong tackles were put in by Christine,Laura and Ellie Bradford, taking down some of Maidstone's strongest players.
Play continued until Liz Thompson was injured whilst running strong with the ball, and the half time whistle was blown.

As the second half began, the forwards produced a fantastic moving maul, strong legs from the whole pack kept the ball in play for a long while. Unfortunately, this was turned over and Maidstone got back possession; Louisa was then able to jackal the ball and continued play until ONs were given a penalty. Hena tapped the ball and passed to Ellie who broke through the defensive line and made her way over the try line. 39-0.
Lovely runs were seen from Alice Morgan and Tazia Goodwin who picked up the ball on the bounce and drove forward. Hena Kaur also ran well to make a lot of ground before she was tackled. As she was, she passed the ball to Alice who ran over the try line to score her first try for ONs under the posts. Christine converted - 46-0.
Quite soon after this try, Louisa got the ball again and ran the length of the pitch to score again, and allowing Christine to convert the try again - 53-0.
A great run from Helen, managing to stay in the pitch, despite the opposition trying to tackle her out.
A scrum to ONs, delivered back to Hena who picked it up from the back and ran around the scrum, avoiding the opposition flanker and made it through the defensive line to score, making the score 58-0.
Further strong runs were made by Megan Jones, who made ground, was tackled and then returned to her feet before being tackled again. From these strong runs, and rucks, protecting the ball, Hena was able to pass the ball out to Nikita who passed to Kirsty Parsons, who got the ball to Alice who scored her second try, which Christine converted - 65-0.
From kick off Kirsty was able to knock the ball back, which was then picked up by Hena who ran the majority of the pitch to score again, under the post. Christine converted - 72-0.
Another run from Hena after kick off saw her score yet another try, making the score 77-0.
Within the final minutes the backs worked well together, Natalie Hamlett passing the ball out to Nikita who delivered a miss pass to Cheryl who passed to Louisa who was able to score again. A conversion made from Christine saw the final score stand at 84-0.

Fantastic play was seen from all, a great effort put in to end the season on a high, with a massive team effort bringing ONs out on top.

Congratulations to the fierce forwards, who rucked hard, scrummed harder and supported each other well: Liz Thompson, Mikayla Butler, Christine Kiarie, Gina Cottle, Stephanie Radoja, Ellie Bradford, Megan Jones, Laura Wychel, and Sophie Dolby.

Massive well done to the backs, who worked well both as a unit and as individuals to secure a massive score today: Sophie Slope, Nikita McGuigan, Louisa Burgham, Cheryl Smith, Natalie Hamlett, Tazia Goodwin, Hena Kaur, Helen Monaghan, Alice Morgan, Kirsty Parsons and Hazel Stewart.

Great end to the season!