Eastern Counties Rugby Union

Eastern Counties Women got their County Championship campaign of to a flying start out scoring their opponents seven tries to nil in a thrilling game hosted by Stowmarket RFC.

After excellent performances in the two-pre-tournament warm up games which saw the squad beat both Medway County and Durham County, the scene was set for a good performance at home against a side that EC Women only narrowly beat in last years competition, scoring in almost the last play of the game. The squad certainly delivered and in some style.

In stark contrast to last year’s opening game which was played in sunny and warm conditions, the cold and rain resulted in a number of errors by both teams, however after a nervy opening quarter EC scored their opening try through Georgie Lingham (Saracens) who received the ball on half way and raced around and through tacklers to score under the posts, Alice Middleton(Shelford) added the extras to take a 7-0 lead.

It was a further 10 minutes of play before Sophia John(Wymondham Wasps) powered over the line to score the first of a brace of tries, Middleton again adding the extras.
EC then score two tries in quick succession just before the break, both from captain Lizell Heather(Shelford), who made light work of the midfield defence to score under the posts, both of which were converted by Middleton taking the half time score to 28-0.

EC started the second half like they ended the first with fullback Alice Middleton adding to her kicking tally with a try wide out on the right flank within seconds of the game re-starting but was unable to add the extra points.

Despite some forced changes due to injury in the Oxofrdshire team, they rallied in the final quarter and began to batter the EC defensive line, however the home team held firm and countered each attach with a very well organised defence, vice-Captain Kaylee Williams(Wymondham) very vocal in marshalling the troops. The stand out defender was forward of the match Libby Lockwood(Wymondham) who put in some bone rattling tackles to repel the visitors’ attacks.

The penultimate try came from Sophia John, who made a break before passing to scrum half Georgie Palmer(Bury St Edmunds), who drew the defender before returning the ball to John who bagged her second of the day. Middleton missing the conversion to take the score to 38-0.

It was Alice Middleton who scored the remaining points, firstly by way of a try, which she then converted resulting in a personal tally of 20 points with 5 kicks from 7 attempts and a final score for the team of 45-0.

Eastern Counties Women have a bye next weekend, before travelling to Aylesbury RFC to take on Buckinghamshire on Sunday 13th May in the third and final round of the Gill Burns Women’s County Championship, before the knock out stages begin.

Team: Naomi Dobner(Harwich Owls), Kaylee Williams vice capt. (Wymondham Wasps), Jasmin Clark(Bury St Edmunds Foxes), Mimi Montgomery(Harwich Owls), Lucy Williams(Harwich Owls), Samantha Wilmott(Harwich Owls), Libby Lockwood(Wymondham Wasps), Sophia John(Wymondham Wasps), Georgie Palmer(Bury St Edmunds Foxes), Katie Roberts(Bury St Edmunds Foxes), Georgie Lingham(Saracens), Lizell Heather capt. (Shelford), Danni Lee(Bury St Edmunds Foxes), Steph Durrant(Bury St Edmunds Foxes), Alice Middleton(Shelford) Replacements: Toni Bell(Woodbridge Amazons), Chloe Houck(Bury St Edmunds Foxes), Lauren Richardson(Harwich Owls), Aristea Papaoikonomou(Wymnondham Wasps), Claire Brickley(Woodbridge Amazons), Becki Hare(Harwich Owls), Robin Gordon(Woodbridge Amazons)

Scorers: Georgie Lingham 1T, Sophia John 2T, Alice Middleton 2T 5C, Lizell Heather 2T