Westbury Ladies winning streak ends away at Chipping Sodbury

Westbury traveled to Chipping Sodbury on Sunday for their third and undoubtedly toughest game of the season so far, hoping to keep their winning run going.

The home side kicked off and immediately put Westbury under pressure. It was a very scrappy first 10 minutes with neither teams' attack functioning correctly. Sodbury were awarded a penalty in front off the posts, which they opted to kick to make it 3-0.

Westbury tried to build phases together but the constant pressure of the well organised Sodbury defence was making it very difficult. The home team's scrum was gaining a good foothold on the game, making it difficult for Westbury to get clean ball. In spite of this, good communication at the back of the scrum between number 8, Anna Hemingway, and 9, Maeve Taylor, meant that the ball came out and Westbury managed to string a few good phases together. Lana Plummer made a break, supported by Sasha Smith who touched down under the posts, converted by Lana to take the score to 3-7. The first half continued with Sodbury pressuring Westbury but neither team managed to string anything tangible together. Again, Sodbury were awarded a penalty in front of the posts but the kick went just short to bring an end to the first half.

Westbury kicked off the second half well, but 5 minutes in the home team crossed the line and converted to make it 10-7.

Not to be deterred, Westbury fought back. Sodbury's defence again standing strong and turning over the ball they spread it wide, scoring a try in the corner. Conversion was missed - score 17-7.

Westbury rallied together and 5 minutes later managed to find a gap in the Sodbury defence. Captain, Lana Plummer, breaking from inside her own half, brushing off 4 tackles to touch down under the posts, she then converted. Score 14-17. Westbury battled to try and get another score but the defence stood strong. From a turnover Sodbury broke through showing some excellent off-loading and scored another try taking the final score to 22-14.

It was a great performance by the Westbury team, coming up against a very well organised Sodbury defence. Special mentions to Jane Brown and Hayley Kettlety for their man of the match performances. Westbury remain second in the league and are extremely proud of the marked improvement shown in this fixture from last season.

The squad now have a week off before the first round of the cup at home on the 25th October.