Mary's Defeated by Reading Despite Promising Start

After having to cancel their scheduled away game to Reading just prior to Christmas Mary's Ladies really felt as though they had a point to prove.

In the first quarter of the game Reading saw little of the ball and spent a lot of time stood near their own line, albeit yet again Mary's struggled to cross the try line. With Mary's running set phases all over the place and pushing wide Reading defended spectacularly not letting through a single try. Captain and fly half Sammy Knighton controlled play in the backs with Vice Captain Angie Francis providing structure for the forwards - both showing brilliant leadership for the team and leading by example.

The next forty minutes of the game saw a much more evenly matched game up and down the field with Reading taking the lead and then gaining a second wind to push for a well earnt win. Reading missed many opportunities with over laps and the majority of their tries coming from lucky breaks.

Whether Mary's were lacking in fitness due to too much drinking and eating over the festive period or just switched off is a mystery! However, if Mary's ladies can play like they did in those first 20-30 minutes of the game for a full 80 minutes they will easily challenge any team you put in front of them.

A special mention and great big thank you from the whole of the SMOBL team goes to Vice Captain Angie Francis who will be retiring as a player and as Vice Captain. Whoever takes over will have big shoes to fill as Vice and in the second row!

Well done also to Natasha Sparey for coming on as second row replacement and giving it her all and Charlotte Bossick for her debut for SMOBL both made a superb impact and I look forward to playing with you both again shortly!

Players' player: Laura Rugman
Coaches player: Kirsty Fido
Debuts: Natasha Sparey and Charlotte Bossick