Strong start from ladies

Novos Ladies welcomed Eccles to Sutherland Park looking to put all their pre-season training into practise. Receiving the kick, Novos failed to take it cleanly and gave Eccles an attacking scrum just outside their 22. However, solid defence gave them turnover ball and they started to work some patterns of play to make ground up the pitch. Some good interplay between backs and forwards led to Rachael Cooper rounding her opposite number to score in the corner.

A few minutes later, Janette Shaw broke through to score, converted by Emma Nichol.

Play was then contained in the middle of the pitch, with both sides working hard to compete for the ball, then Eccles broke out and used the overlap for their scrum half to race in at the corner.

Novos 3rd try came from a break in midfield, with Livvy Coombs supporting well and taking the pass to go over for the try which was converted by Emma Nichols.

Novos pressed forward again, but lost the ball in contact, and Eccles reacted quickly to move the ball wide and score through their winger, making the half time score 19-10.

With the game in the balance, the next score would be crucial, and it was Novos that gained the initiative. Excellent support play and handling from both backs and forwards led to 2 more tries for Janette Shaw, and a 1st for Ruth Scott.

Eccles hit back after Novos were penalised, and their prop crashed over from close range to score, converted by their fly half.

With 15 mins remaining Novos were still working well together and with the forwards providing a solid platform, the backs exploited gaps and showed good pace to run in 3 more tries, 1 for Rachael Fleming, a 2nd for Rachel Cooper, and the final say went to captain, Steph Maddison.

Rachael Fleming converted 2 of the 3 to leave the final score 55-17.

Forward of the match: Louise Smith
Back of the match: Emma Nichol

A great performance for the 1st league game of the season, but still things to work on, and Novos will be looking to build on their performance next week, when they welcome newcomers to the league, West Bridgeford to Sutherland Park.

(Match report provided by Ruth Scott)