Mary's Complete Hat Trick Of Wins

St Mary's finished their home campaign where they started their away one, with a fixture against Devizes Ladies. With the fixture in doubt due to the never ending rainfall and Mary's pitch resembling a soaked sponge, North Bristol came to the rescue when a game was cancelled and their 4G became available. Thank you once again for helping us get the fixture played and congratulations to your Ladies side, who beat Bath 2s to seal the NC2 South West (N) league title.
Back to Mary's and from the kick off the ball spilt by Devizes setting up a perfect position for a set play which has proved to be pretty deadly all season. Ball worked excellently through the hands with perfect timing and accuracy to set flying winger Kathryn Howells away for a try on just 90 seconds. Jade Gamlin was back at the crease with the kicking duties and she would prove to have her best kicking show of the season banging over kicks from everywhere. 7-0. From the kick off it was back on attack and after some strong carrying in midfield from 2nd row Jess Cogan, the ball was once again moved through the hands where centre Ginny Troughton fixed the last defender and out Howells away for hers and Mary's second. Gambo converted, 14-0. From there though Mary's hit a bit of a wall and as they looked for a second wind Devizes went on the attack. Some strong running from their outstanding No8 and centre, coupled with a bit of wishy washy tackling, allowed the visitors to make good ground and they scored to excellent tries, one of which was converted and split by a converted penalty for the home side. 17-12. Half hour gone and that second wind arrived. Ann Webb, who was excellent at fly half, cut a great line and broke away to score under the posts. Conversion good, 24-12. Then came one of the individual highlights of the day. Dannielle Rigby collecting the kick off just outside her own 22 and setting off on a weaving, jinking run that saw her beat 5 would be tacklers before rounding the full back and racing in to score in the corner. Nothing could match that could it? Yep... Gambo's conversion from the touchline on her wrong side sailed over with loads to spare and Mary's mow led 31-12. Back on the attack and looking for another, this time it was the turn of the pack who from close range put a couple of pick and goes together before the superb Boe Meaton crossed under the sticks. Conversion over and half time 38-12.
Second half and lots of the Mary's player approaching empty but knowing they couldn't step off against the strong running Devizes team. Good start needed and got when captain Chloe Tucker picked up at the base and darted over to score. Conversion added 45-12. Next up another brilliant piece of individual skill when No8 Boe Meaton sidestepped and accelerated away with tacklers left in her wake. When she was finally dragged down inside the 22, the support was excellent and a quick clear out saw lots of gaps and Rigby ghosted through one to score under the sticks. Conversion good 52-12. No letting up now and a minute later Mary's were back inside the 22. Next piece of individual skill as we welcomed the return of scrum half Laura McGlone, who dummied from the ruck, grubbered through and one the race to the touchdown. Tasty! Another conversion 59-12. Mary's knackered now but controlling it as Devizes came back into the game with more strong carrying and some brilliant turnovers from their no22 who must have nabbed 5 or 6 herself. 10 minutes to go and as the game looked to fade, winger Lianne Everett had other ideas. 70 minutes she took the ball on the outside, rode the covering tackle and crossed to score. Gambo missed this one (sack the kicker.) 74 minutes ball kicked long and fielded inside her own 22 by Everett. Cries of 'nail her,' met with cries of, 'gotta catch her first,' as she scorched away down the 5m channel to score again. Then she rounded of a 7 minute hat trick when she kept her width and the excellent vision of McGlone put another grubber in for her to collect and drop over the line. Gambo converted both and the final score was 78-12. The score was a little flattering on Devizes who were a really tough side and kept coming. They will miss their No8 who is posted to Cyprus and we wish her all the best. She has been the outstanding Devizes player in both of our games this season. For Mary's this was a superb result from a group who have put in a massive effort in the past 3 games which has seen them pick up 3 wins scoring 191 points and conceding just 15. They have met the challenge the RFU gave them head on. Now we hope we will get the reward and the chance to play the league leaders? Some excellent performances this week; Crash Bash Tasha Foley who had her best game in the loose, Emily Robson who is becoming an example for others to follow, Victoria Shakspeare who covered at hooker and was running on empty after about 60 minutes, and Boe Meaton who has had an outstanding season were the picks in the pack. In the backs Ann Webb showed her versatility and kicking skills, Jade Gamlin who went a bit mental for 10 minutes but who has to have the best kick in the league by a mile and Laura McGlone who adds attacking options with her kick and pace were all very good. Player of the match this week was Dannielle Rigby, who covered at 9 before bossing things at 10 in the second half. Bravo! Next up for Marys is a rest, but we will be back before the end of the season and hopefully have one more league game to play.