Eastern Counties Rugby Union

A much-improved team performance from EC Women, however they are only able to come away with a losing bonus point, despite a determined effort to the last play of the game.

EC travelled to Newark to take on Notts, Lincs and Derby in their second outing in this season’s Gill Burns Division 2 County Championship. NLD’s playing style and tactics were a repeat of their previous opponents Hertfordshire, where they relied on their powerful forwards to make holes in EC's defences before shipping the ball to their backs.

NLD were also able to put their power to good use at the breakdown stopping and turning over attempts to gain ground by EC.

However, despite NLD’s dominance in the set piece and at the breakdown they were only able to score a single unconverted try in the first half, leaving everything to play for in the second half.
EC began to gain ground as the home side’s intensity at the breakdown slowed allowing the likes of EC’s Loose head prop Jodie Turl to make inroads into NLD’s defences, ably supported by number 8 Sam Wilmot.

EC’s first try came from captain Lizelle Heather who smashed a hole through midfield before being tackled high as she crossed the line, the referee having no choice than to award a penalty try as she was prevented from grounding the ball by the tackle. With seven points being awarded this put EC into a narrow lead.

NLD responded with an unconverted try to restore their lead at 10-7 and extended this at 15-7 as they intercepted a pass in midfield as EC looked to press forward, NLD running the ball in from half way.

Heather again showed both power and pace in equal measure blasting another hole in NLD’s defences, this time there was no last gasp tackle as she grounded the ball under the posts, allowing wing Robyn Gordon an easy conversion to narrow the score to 15-14.
NLD then scored what would be the final points of the game through a fourth unconverted try to take their score to 20-14.

EC had a chance to snatch victory in the final play of the game as NLD attempted to kick the ball clear allowing fullback Analise Allan to run the ball back, however the attack came to nothing and EC were unable to score and had to settle for a losing bonus point.
EC Women now look forward to a home game against bottom of the table Oxfordshire a game that will be played next Sunday at Stowmarket RFC, kick off 2pm.

Team: Jodie Turl (Shelford), Kaylee Williams (Bury St Edmunds), Sam Chan (Woodbridge), Carmel Leak (Woodbridge), Alex Rowles (Bury St Edmunds), Katie Roberts (Hartpury), Sophie McMeekin (Wymondham), Sam Wilmot (Harwich), Jessica Mclean-Wright(Wymondham), Claire Brickley (Woodbridge), Lucy Kerr (Bury St Edmunds), Lizelle Heather (Thurrock), Danni Lee (Bury St Edmunds), Robyn Gordon (Bury St Edmunds), Annalise Allan (Thurrock)

Replacements: Cecily White (Bury St Edmunds), Chantelle Higgins (Bury St Edmunds), Lesley Sonnen (OAS), Sian Smith (Harwich), Beth Clapson (Woodbridge), Helen Self (Woodbridge), Steph Hanratty (Bury St Edmunds)