Women's Team - Match report - Sunday 7th Oct 2018

Gerry Shanahan

Old Northamptonians Ladies 0pts v Sutton Coldfield Ladies 65pts.

Women's NC League Midlands Division One

Sutton Ladies travelled to Northampton on Sunday and came away with a resounding 65-0 bonus point win to maintain their unbeaten start to life in ‘Women’s NC Midlands One’.

The tone for the afternoon was set after only 3 minutes when inside centre Maria Crowfoot crossed for the opening score with further tries being added before the break by full back Katie Gregory(2), wing Elise Graham and emergency hooker Jessica Nally(2); fly half Alison Livermore’s three successful conversions left the score at the interval 36-0. The half was extended by a full 20 minutes of injury time following lengthy stoppages, firstly Sutton's young tight head prop Nafeesah Nabi with a neck injury and then more seriously to the ON’s full back with a serious ankle injury.

The 2nd half was only 3 minutes old when prop Vicky Sullivan capped what was to be a superb performance by crashing over for the opening score of the half, this was only the loose head’s 2nd ever try for the Club with both coming in the county of Northamptonshire following a crucial score in the cup quarter final at Towcester Roses last season.

Further Sutton scores quickly followed through captain Charlie Byrne, Katie Gregory, Elise Graham and Jessica Nally with two of the tries being converted by Kerrie-Anne Melsom and Alison Livermore respectively making the final score 65-0 with proceedings brought to an early end after 67 minutes at the request of ON’s as injuries had taken their toll leaving their resources severely depleted.

Unlike their unfortunate hosts, Sutton had a well-populated bench which was just as well as injuries were to force off Mollie Campbell, Natalie Kennett and captain Charlie Byrne in addition to opening half casualty Nafeesah Nab

Overall, an impressive performance particularly in the shortened 2nd period where Sutton scored five tries in a 24 minute purple spell to go with the six scored in the 1st half. Congratulations to Elise Graham on her brace of tries and to Katie Gregory and Jessica Nally on their hat-tricks, Katie’s 2nd for the Club and Jessica’s 3rd with interestingly all trebles coming whilst on their travels. Having congratulated the try scorers it would be remiss not to heap praise on those that provided the platform, particularly the back row of Liz Fletcher, Natalie Kennett and in her first outing of the season vice-captain Emma Clueit not forgetting the outstanding Tara Wheeldon who started at hooker but ended up at tight head. Congratulations also to Amy Rollins and Ella Friar who made their senior debuts from the bench and to lock forward Harriet Parkes who continues to impress in her first season of senior rugby.

Thank you to the welcoming hosts ON’s who were great sports and enjoyed some fine passages of play but injuries caught up with them in the end and Sutton wish them well particularly their full back who ended up in A&E as did our own Natalie Kennett with a foot injury but thankfully initial reports are indicating tendon damage rather-than a feared fracture which is just as well as ‘Corporal Kennett’ begins her new posting at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth in the morning.

After today’s 3rd round of fixtures we remain 2nd in the table, a solitary bonus point behind Peterborough the only other unbeaten side.

This weekend Sutton Ladies are on their travels again, this time to Leicestershire to face Lutterworth Ladies.

Team: Vicky Sullivan, Tara Wheeldon, Nafeesah Nabi, Mollie Campbell, Harriet Parkes, Liz Fletcher, Natalie Kennett, Emma Clueit, Christine McEvoy, Alison Livermore, Chanelle Stankard, Maria Crowfoot, Charlie Byrne(Capt), Elise Graham, Katie Gregory. Subs(used): Jessica Nally, Kerrie-Anne Melsom, Genna Pilling, Amy Rollins, Ella Friar.