Loughborough 5 - Novos Ladies 51

Novos were really up for this game, it showed both in the pre match warm-up and in the first 10 minutes of the game. Their eagerness and enthusiasm meant they rushed many of their passes and this caused several mistakes which the home side capitalised on. Novos Ladies had the measure of the Loughborough forwards in the scrum and took several early balls against the head.

The first try was scored by Laura Stewart on the left wing. This was after a good break from Tasha Robson, a scrum won against the put in and a lovely kick ahead by Laura before gathering the ball and scoring on the wing. This was soon followed by another try this time by Katie Crute from fullback. Katie having a nice inside running line from Emma Nichol at centre to score near the posts.

The home team kept coming back and had a good spell in the Novos 22 metre area. Excellent defence from all players prevented the home side scoring. The Novos team were always looking dangerous in the counter attack. Rachel Cooper had a great run on the right wing, and Tasha again had a great drive through a couple of defenders.

The third try was Laura’s second; following another scrum won (excellent work here by the forwards in particular the front row of Christine Miller, Elle Boor and Jess Richards), No 8 Amelia Neagle picked up and quick hands along the back line found Laura on the wing. The score was now 0-15 to Novos Ladies. Two further tries before the break by Fanny Fouin and Emma Nichol (Emma converting her own try) gave the visitors a strong 27-0 lead.

It was always important to start second half as strong as the end of first half and not allow Loughborough into the game. The hot afternoon and hard pitch were testing the Novos Ladies fitness. However, the team started where they had left off and soon were driving up the field with forwards and backs inter-passing. Tasha made another of her strong runs leading to a nice try by Amelia. Emma converting the try and giving Novos a 34-0 lead.

Jenny Meagher and Ceri Storer replaced the hard working back row of Amelia Neagle and Sarah Marshall, with Fran Mockford moving from open side to No 8. Sam West and Beth Brougham also replaced wingers Laura Stewart and Rachel Cooper. There was also a positional change with Katie moving to centre and Fanny taking her place at full back. After a period of adjustment to new players the visitor scored via their captain Caitlin Sedgeworth. Caitlin doing some excellent footwork, beating two defenders and increasing the score to 44-0.

Loughborough increased their intensity in the last spell of the game, placing a great deal of pressure on the Novos team. Some last minute tackles from Fanny at full back and Emma saving certain tries. Novos seemed to struggle to clear their line and eventually the pressure told and had to concede a well taken try by the Loughborough fly half.

Novos showed great character coming right back in the final minutes of the game. Ruth Scott, Novos fly half, finished a great passing phase to score with Emma Nichol converting the try and bringing the score to 51-5.

Laura Armstrong got back of the match and Jess Richards forward of the match. Great all round performance, some points still to work on before next week’s vital game against West Park Leeds.