Tough Test For SMOBL

St Marys Ladies came through their toughest test of the season to date against a really competitive and physical Ynysddu side last Sunday. Things had looked a bit worrying for the Marys girls as early as the warm up with a pretty poor prep leading to a poor start. It was Ynysddu who posed the early questions with short pops to strong ball carriers being the theme for most of the game and Marys were under pressure. After 5 minutes, the visitors created an overlap out wide and looked to score. Winger Ellie Clarke gambled and reacted really well to intercept what would’ve been a try scoring pass and she raced away from 60m for the opening score. Conversion added, 7-0. This seemed to give the home side some confidence and they began to move the ball wide, where they always looked a threat. On 11 minutes a brilliantly timed pass from Joanna Smith and a great carry by stand in winger Victoria Shakespeare from a set play saw the outstanding Chloe Tucker dart in for Marys second, 12-0. Five minutes later the roles were revearsed and Tucker turned provider for Shakespeare to cross following another impressive play, 17-0. But the visitor’s then rallied and had a really good spell of possession. Some strong carrying and some sloppy tackling giving Ysynddu momentum and they crossed for a deserved try. Conversion missed, 17-5. Marys turn to respond and they did so very well. Some very good work by the forwards creating holes and Sarah Barker continued her impressive start to the season when she accelerated through a gap and raced away to score. Conversion missed, 22-5 after half an hour. There was no let up with the physicality of the game with the visitors on top in break down and Marys making tackles, most notably through Harriet Quick who’s huge hit saw a few ‘Oooos’ from the spectators. With a minute until the break the visitors had the final chance of the half and they took it to cross for a second try after yet more really powerful carrying. Half time 22-10. Second half underway with Marys looking to get in top and move the ball wide. They achieved this almost immediately when some very good work at the breakdown led to space out wide and Jade Gamlin raced away to score. Gambo converted her own try for a 29-10 lead. Holes were now appearing in the visitors defence and the home side looked to press home their advantage. Debutant Fern Read, who had a great first game for the club, cutting through a gap to score after 63 minutes. With Joanna Smith adding the extras the game looked safe at 36-10. Smith herself was then next to score as she continued her excellent form to keep up her record of a try in every game, which she converted to take the score into the 40s. Then with 5 minutes left replacement No8 Boe Meaton ran a superb line, handed off and beat the fullback to score Marys 8th try of the match and see the side home 48-10. This was a great test for the side who’s second half performance in particular was very good. Harriet Quick, Donna Prince and Fern Read had great games in the pack, whilst team captain Sammy Knighton and Ellie Clarke made welcome returns to the backline. Joanna Smith deserves a pat on the back for another great game at 10 and a special mention to debutant Steph Hyde who played her first ever game of rugby following her fantastic efforts in training. Well done!! This week’s player of the match though was Chloe Tucker who was a constant threat in attack, carried with pace a purpose and distributed superbly to launch attacking options. Great work!!
This weekend it’s 1st v 2nd as St Marys host Oakmedians who have also made an unbeaten start to the season. Your support would be most welcome.