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REPORT | Blues Women continue marching on
Bedford Blues Women rolled into Cambridgeshire as top of the league and they marched back out in exactly the same position thanks to a commanding 27-10 victory over St Neots.
This felt different. It just hit different. The players had smiles on their faces wider than against Milton Keynes two weeks ago, so you knew just how much this meant to them. Three games played, three different obstacles, all three overcome.
Rivalry is probably too strong a word but due to the volume of meetings in the past two seasons, there is that little bit extra spice when these two sides collide and just like in cup competition, Blues Women came out on the right side of the scoreboard.
St Neots did the double last season; Blues still have the chance to make it a hat-trick this time around.
Two superb home showings kickstarted the campaign with suitable aplomb, it now became about whether they could do it on the road. Next question asked, next question answered.
Again there were positional alterations, new players making their debuts, yet the cohesion again stayed constant as they toyed with their opponents through large periods of possession and struck at the perfect times to win the game.
Heidi Lawson will again take the plaudits for a strong opening try, and being the sole reason for the late penalty try, but this was as complete a team performance as you could wish to see as 1-18 played their part and continued the promotion push on ever further.
There were moments of hap hazard approach, periods where it became a little stop start. But patience is a virtue and if you can weather the storm, you’ve always got a chance.
An early penalty from Lucy Middleton – whose kicking caused nightmares for the St Neots defence all afternoon – ensured Blues were in-front on the scoreboard for all bar the opening six minutes.
Lawson’s try made it 8-0 before St Neots hit back just before the break to reduce the arrears to three.
The second half again required more grit and determination – there’s just something about the team this season and you can’t see how they’re going to be stopped.
Backs duo Alyce Trude and Amy Winter found the line to take the game away from their hosts, but it was a 40-minute display more than just a couple of tries as they managed the difficult moments superbly and secured a first away victory.
The late penalty try following a high tackle to Lawson – just about the only thing that stopped her in full flight all afternoon – added the suitable aplomb. The only shame is that you don’t get bonus points in this division. It was a performance worthy of five points.
Bedford Blues Women Starting XV:
15. Heidi Lawson, 14. Natalie Daly, 13. Amy Winter, 12. Izzy Parks, 11. Alyce Trude, 10. Lucy Middleton (C), 9. Esme Fish; 1. Hanah Donovan, 2. Steph Sarah-McPhillips, 3. Millie Rennell, 4. Cat Chambers, 5. Kelly Hodgson, 6. Megan Solomon, 7. Bex Wright, 8. Emma Hunter
Bedford Blues Women Replacements:
Lauren Mason, Elena Famiglietti, Sophie Singleton-Sells
*Matchday Photography from Roy Long*
