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REPORT | Back-to-back wins for Blues Women
Bedford Blues Women secured their first set of back-to-back victories in the 2022/23 NC2 Midlands (Central) division campaign with a solid 19-7 victory at Royston.
It was a performance that continued their upward momentum and trajectory – the squad continuing to come on leaps and bounds as the season progresses with improvement and dynamism in abundance again on a good afternoon in Hertfordshire.
They will feel a little aggrieved that they left a few points out there on the field, but it’s nothing that can’t be resolved in training ahead of an important Junior Plate knockout clash against Welwyn next weekend (Hosted at Bedford Ath, KO 2:30pm).
Joint Head Coach, Darryl Veenendaal said: “We’re really glad to get the victory. There’s plenty still to work on but that’s something we’ll continue to do over the course of the season. We’ll be looking for an 80-minute performance next weekend.”
It was a tough opening ten minutes for Veenendaal and Peter Frost’s side who were on the back foot and conceded first through Royston’s influential fly-half, who danced her way round a few challenges and sprinted under the posts.
As the game continued, Blues’ momentum increased, and they were quickly back to their effervescent best; utilising several key plays to break the defensive line and gradually move back up the field.
Helped by an unbelievable shift in the back row by Player of the Match Bex Young – who was immense in the breakdown all game and secured countless turnovers to give greater platforms from which to build upon on the field.
Those platforms were all that was required to start getting points on the board as the half-back pairing combined with lethal intent.
First, a sustained amount of pressure in the 22m saw Lucy Middleton reach for the line and dot down under the posts. She converted her own score to level proceedings.
The set piece was an extremely pleasing aspect of the contest throughout – particularly the amount of lineouts stolen when Royston had the throw – but it was from a scrum that they found their second try as they got the shove on to allow Number 8 Emma Hunter to peel away and reach for the line.
It was soon a third try as the play of the match happened just before the interval. Another solid set piece allowed the space as Blues passed through the hands from one end to the other – Alivia Usher-Harris eventually profiting from the move to sprint home from 40m.
That made it 19-7 at the break and that was how it remained despite Blues being camped in the Royston half in the second 40 in search of the bonus point score. They showed what they can do and how they can rip teams apart from anywhere – they were just lacking that final pass on this occasion, but the main thing was the result never really looked in doubt at any point.
When called upon, Blues’ defence was as hard as nails as Royston didn’t get near the 22m after the restart – more incredible breakdown work was again a catalyst but there was some real good maul defence in the middle of the park.
It ensured a champagne weekend was completed with a double victory following the senior men’s team’s victory over Hartpury University yesterday. If Carlsberg did weekends it would be a very good Bedford Blues one…
Bedford Blues Women Starting XV:
15. Alyce Trude, 14. Tabitha Everett, 13. Emily Wallbank (C), 12. Martina Sharp, 11. Amy Winter, 10. Lucy Middleton (vc), 9. Esme Fish; 1. Emily McBarron, 2. Alivia Usher-Harris, 3. Lauren Mason, 4. Kelly Hodgson, 5. Emry Bond, 6. Bex Young, 7. Laura Woodfield, 8. Emma Hunter
Bedford Blues Women Replacements:
Stephanie-Sarah McPhillips, Hannah Donovan, Megan Solomon, Sophie Riley, Abi Wilkin, Natalie Daly
*Matchday Photography by Dan Fennell - FennellTakesFotos*
