St Mary's Old Boys Ladies 5 Chipping Sodbury Ladies 12

CHIPPING Sodbury Ladies made the short journey to St Mary's Old Boys RFC last weekend to face their rivals in the second league game of this season with a local derby away having achieved a convincing win over Devizes last week.
 
The travelling team kicked off and a ferocious charge from captain and flanker Becky Petchey forced the error resulting in Sodbury being awarded for a knock on in almost identical fashion to the game the week before giving them the advantage from the off. Number 8 Amy Brooks leapt like a salmon to steal a Mary's line out and Sodbury were on the attack straight away, battering at the Mary's defence.
 
Chipping away at a strong defensive line, flanker Sam Poulton was the first to crash over the line but deemed held up by the referee the ladies were forced to try again.

Camping in the oppositions 22 the barrage of attack was relentless and although a scrum in front of the posts lost Sodbury the ball it wasn't for long as the receiver was tackled over the line and possession was regained for Brooks to hurtle towards the line looking to score but popping just in time to support runner Petchey  for her to go over for the try. Converted by Prop/Vice Captain Michelle Deverill.
 
Having not had much luck with injuries at Fly Half the back lineup had been continuously changing for Sodbury but it was Abi Bedford's time to shine in the 10 shirt this weekend, doing a sterling job commanding the line using her knowledge and confidence to get the ball moving.
 
CSRFC continued to dominate and spoil the Mary's line outs but the home side hit back with a strong running try from experienced Outside Centre Laura Rugman which remained unconverted leaving the score dangerously close at half time.
 
Tackling was textbook across the park with both sides putting in and receiving some huge hits worthy of a professional level but it was Sodbury to put the next and final points on the board when Katie Lane in Centre intercepted a ball gone to ground to sprint from the halfway line towards the posts.

Not trusting her pace Lane fumbled a pass, the scoop attempted by Winger Chessie Kelly but collected by Paige Muxworthy in Centre to roll over the line. Conversion unsuccessful.
 
Despite conceding a number of penalties Chipping Sodbury did well to hold out any further attempts at scoring with the only real threat bundled into touch with a great tackle short of the line.

Fullback Kelly Anne Garland went on a storming run looking to widen the score but was met with a huge tackle to stop her in her tracks and although Sodbury trekked up the pitch once more pounding at the try line, the whistle blew leaving the score 12-5 at full time.
 
As always, it was another incredibly tough but enjoyable encounter against St Mary's and we look forward to the returning match and wish them all the best for the season ahead!