The weather was at last in our favour today and SMOBL had their first game in many weeks after 3 postponements due to the dreadful rain we’ve been having over the Christmas period. Finally the sun was shining and the ground was firm.

Layla was in positive spirits in her first game taking on her role as vice captain. She got everyone riled up and ready to go with her uplifting pre-match talk. (Who are we?).
Layla started the game by kicking off to Oakmedians and straight away the game was in full swing. It seems Oakmedians had started with a bit more of a bang as after giving them too much room in defence they scored their first try and converted it. The score was 0-7 with very little time elapsed.

This awoke the SMOB ladies a little and they responded with some good attacking play. Lucy Bowering at scrum half stole their ball after they played advantage from our knock on; she passed out to Emily Tuck on the flank (playing her first game back after being injured for a few months) who was high tackled and got us our first penalty. The choice was to tap and go and go she did – Carmen Etheridge took the ball at great pace and with great voice slammed into their stunned defence. BOOM! Unfortunately after a few phases of play the ball was knocked on and Oakmedians were awarded the scrum.

Lucy again showing some excellent tackling skills by remaining on her feet after tacking the biggest girl on the field and stealing the ball off her – much to the big girl’s dismay – oh she did protest! (Our brilliant ref Ian was very quick to point out that this was in fact legal so tough luck).
Shortly afterwards we looked to be attacking, but dropped the ball, which they kicked through causing a mad chase for the ball, which we were lucky to secure due to the quick moving backs.
Bridget Sanger showed a moment of inspiration as she broke through, but was foiled in her plans for try scoring super stardom as she was double teamed by their fly half and full back.

Fly half Liz Coles sustained an ankle injury forcing her to leave the field and bring on our only sub Helen Nicholson. Rachel Amphlett rose to the challenge of fly half and from this minute became an indispensable member of the team. It seemed that Rachel stepped it up a notch and from a scrum showed a brilliant change of pace and after a snaking run, beat three players and stumbled over the line to give Mary’s our first score under the posts. Layla skilfully converted hh7 – 7.

For the rest of the half, Oakmedians were camped in our 22, but with some persistent defence around the rucks and in midfield and some good vision and communication to cover the gaps we held them off until half time.
Britney gave a half time talk, which seemed to lift the players to new levels (so I’m told!) and everyone started playing like their lives depended on it.

Shortly into the second half Katie Sully, who had put some big hits in in the first half in both attack and defence, got her first big run of the game. She took the ball after a good draw and pass from winger Becky Durham and she was off. First handing one off in the face (of which there is photographic evidence) then sprinting down the wing and passing a few more, unfortunately Katie is so fast that her supporting players were unable to keep up with her so upon being tackled the ball was stolen. Luckily for us it was knocked on and we were awarded a scrum in their half.

Some great forwards plays ensued and after a few phases we looked close to scoring as Carmen Etheridge was inches from the line after forcing her way through the defence. One ruck later Lucy Bowering picked up the ball and popped it over the line for a much deserved try. It was a bit far out for Layla to manage to convert with her little legs so the score was now 12 – 7.
Now the SMOBBERs started to play like a great team and from kick off took the ball into the forwards for a few phases. They then passed it out into the backs and through the hands to Helen Wheeler the speedster who ran around her opposite man and then left the fullback on her derrière to run in another try.

St Mary’s were hugely lifted by the 17 – 7 score line, but with 25 minutes left to play they had to keep their concentration up.
Play was spirited from this moment on as everyone dug in to ensure the win.
We were awarded a line out and did a fantastic drive down field after Carmen secured the ball from a good throw in by Layla. This was followed by a number of midfield scrums and line-outs in both teams’ favour.

SMOB looked strong in attack and Lucy Bowering went over the line for a second time, but was held up and denied her second score. We continued with several minutes play in their 22, but it seems Oakmedians were holding on for the bonus point and thus we were unable to score.
Suddenly there was a strong attack from Oakmedians, who ran through and made 50 metres downfield. Luckily the pace and tackling skills of Faye Dixon, our captain, brought their fly half down to the ground preventing her from scoring what seemed a sure try. Oakmedians were metres from the try line, but our incessant defence and bloody determination stopped them from scoring. Eventually they were penalised for holding onto the ball and what a relief to be awarded a penalty.

It was clear to see that everyone was truly exhausted at this point, but SMOB did not let go and after being in our 22 for far to long the game was finally over. A well deserved win long waited.

Special mention goes to Katie Sully and Carmen Etheridge for their absolutely fantastic attitude from the first blow of the whistle. They were all over the field in support and in defence and their hits were consistently big and unrelenting.

Well done girls – you really deserved it…..

Written by Beth Clayton