Sutton Coldfield 22 - 10 Wellingborough

Wellingborough travelled to Sutton Coldfield for their first game for two months short of players due to injury.  However, the 14 ladies who did turn out put in a spirited performance against a strong Sutton team eventually losing out to two late tries as tiredness and inexperience was exposed.

Wellingborough started the game competing well but let in a soft try after a pass went astray and recovered well by Sutton.  As the first half wore on a change in the Wellingborough approach led to Wellingborough’s forwards gaining dominance in the scrum and lineout and a turnover scrummage led to Sutton conceding a penalty 10 metres out.  A quick penalty was driven forward by Steph Cannell and Becky Woodgates before the ball was moved out to the backs for stand-in fly-half Kerrie York to score the equalising try.

Wellingborough’s forwards continued to dominate the tight play but were often second best getting to rucks and mauls and a turnover ball by Sutton allowed them to break several weak tackles to score just beofre half-time to take a 10-5 lead into the break.

The second half started as the first ended with Wellingborough pack dominating the scrum and shortly after the restart stand-in hooker Carly Leonard, who had been moved to the centre due to injuries, forced her way over for an equalising try.

As the half went on Wellingborough were forced to re-organise again due to injury but kept constant pressure on the Sutton try line resulting in 4 consecutive drives being held up over the line by good Sutton defence.  Wellingborough began to tire and after having 3 “good” tries disallowed as the referee failed to get to the try line to see them properly.  Sutton took advantage of lack of experience in the Wellingborough back line to score two late tries to take the match.

Wellingborough’s overall performance bodes well for the future as there were many players out of position and key individuals missing.  Due to the lack of experience Theresa Boden-Jones and Rachel Jones were forced to put in the sort of defensive efforts they would rather not have to do every week.

Player of the Match: Theresa Boden-Jones