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REPORT | Valiant Blues Women in Kesteven defeat
History maker Emma Graham made a try scoring return to the Starting XV, but her score was ultimately in vain as Bedford Blues Women suffered a 22-12 defeat away at Kesteren Ladies in friendly action.
A useful exercise for the team who needed a runout to blow off the cobwebs before competitive action is set to resume next weekend. You could see the things they’ve been trying to work on in training and it’s a case of the more game time, the more cohesion for the squad.
Multiple new players have added their own gravitas to the team over the Summer, and it will take a while to click fully into function. The signs were positive, and time is on their side to get that structure together with important fixtures to come up at Goldington Road in league and cup competition over the next two weekends.
The scrum was dominant, Kesteven were constantly being pushed back past the gain line and the tactical plays which are being developed showed immense promise.
Blues were the better side in the first half and led 12-5 at the break. Both were from never giving up and chasing the cause – Graham got the afterburners going to chase down Lucy Middleton’s kick then Naomi Stockham sensed the opportunity when Kesteren messed up playing from their own try line.
The hosts – who have contested fixtures already this season and had that extra dynamism the longer the contest went on – showed what extra minutes on the field can help achieve as they grew into it the longer it progressed.
Kudos to their Number 8, Zara Miles who started to run the show once she started getting hands on the ball and her two tries as part of a personal crusade helped swing the game in Kesteren’s favour.
St Neots next up in a week’s time with a date for redemption set at Goldington Road after defeats in both contests against them last season, then Milton Keynes early up in what will no doubt be one of those ‘title deciding’ fixtures come the end of the campaign.
Onwards and upwards. Support the team on home soil, Season Ticket holders go free to all matches this season, get your pens at the ready – St Neots on 1st October then MK on 8th October. Both 2pm kick-offs. We’ll see you there.
Bedford Blues Women Starting XV:
15. Emma Graham, 14. Naomi Stockham, 13. Amy Winter, 12. Emily Wallbank, 11. Natalie Daly, 10. Lucy Middleton (C), 9. Esme Fish; 1. Millie Rennell, 2. Steph-Sarah McPhillips, 3. Emily McBarron, 4. Cat Chambers, 5. Angita Scapini, 6. Elena Famiglietti, 7. Bex Wright, 8. Emma Hunter
Bedford Blues Women Replacements:
Lauren Mason, Heather Cousins, Alivia Usher-Harris, Izzy Parks
