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REPORT | Blues Women humbled by Shelford
It was a tough evening for Bedford Blues Women as they were put to the sword by their superior Championship II opposition, Shelford who secured a 61-0 victory on their home soil at Davey Field.
A rude awakening, maybe. A learning experience, definitely. Positives to take, absolutely.
This is not a time to get dejected. There is always a huge step up between the divisions, you could see that when Blues Women first landed in NC2, so to have to face an opponent of the calibre of Shelford was always going to be an uphill task.
The scoreline looks worse than what was evidenced on the field. For large parts of the game, Eddie Rennell’s side were a worthy match for their opponents.
If they’d have scored on the three particular occasions where it looked like the wind was at their sails, it could have been a much different story. Instead, Shelford gathered the momentum and then had clinical precision about them, scoring tries in bursts and deflating Blues’ momentum.
The important part, and what will stand them in the greatest stead as they try to tackle NC1, is that they never gave up. They showed the sort of hunger and desire that suggests when the going gets tough, they’ll fight back even harder.
A load of new recruits have arrived over the Summer and to wear the Blues Women jersey for the first time is an important obstacle to overcome, and they all looked accustomed and fitted in incredibly well to a solid, championship winning dynamic.
Berri Clarke looks like her pace will cause problems, Connie Brooks was like a brick wall in defence and had Shelford’s attackers going backwards. All positive signs ahead of the upcoming campaign.
That cohesion will come. Important players were missing, but are scheduled to be back for the league opener on home soil a week on Sunday. Playing with a vociferous home support will be an altogether different experience.
You have to remember, they lost quite convincingly in their only pre-season fixture against Kesteven 12 months ago. Look at what happened #leagueinvincibility.
Tomorrow’s another day. This team will be back.
Bedford Blues Women Starting XV:
15. Emma Graham, 14. Natasha Taylor, 13. Emily Wallbank, 12. Izzy Parks, 11. Berri Clarke, 10. Lucy Middleton (C), 9. Esme Fish; 1. Emily McBarron, 2. Alivia Usher-Harris, 3. Lauren Mason, 4. Jess Game, 5. Kelly Hodgson, 6. Connie Brooks, 7. Laura Stephens, 8. Claire Hawes
Bedford Blues Replacements:
Hanah Donovan, Steph-Sarah McPhillips, Jess Richards, Abi Wilkin, Elena Famiglietti, Niamh Ovey, Naomi Stockham, Sophie Singleton-Sells
