Woodbridge Amazons defeated by Hampstead
Match Report - Sunday 21 October 2012
National Challenge SE1 League: Woodbridge Amazons 5 vs Hampstead 43
After both teams held a minutes silence in memory of Woodbridge Rugby Club stalwart, Dick Waterson, the Amazons were under attack from the off, quickly forced back by an accomplished Hampstead pack who dominated in the set pieces to give their runners every chance to run at their hosts. The usually damaging Amazons back line found the drizzly slippery conditions a trial, Rickard, Stearn and Stopard Baker not connecting with their usual flair. Hampstead won a scrum against the head, ran fast up field then exploited a flustered Amazons defence for their no 8 Collins to score from a quickly taken penalty.
The game remained central for a while as the conditions caused scrum after scrum, much of which went Hampstead’s way after the Amazons hooker Kinlan was injured. The Amazons were forced to defend well with Stearn, Kelly, Reidy and Thomas in the thick of it. Both sides started to kick for territory with Hampstead’s Gallagher gaining most ground and their rampaging forwards tramping over the receiver for flanker Bontell to score. From the restart Hampstead charged again despite Fletcher tackling the receiver Collins took the offload and scored again. Fired up the visitors mauled the next restart back to halfway, spun the ball wide to reoccupy the Amazons 22 and moved the ball quickly across field for Collins to take her half time hat trick.
Despite occasional forays from Woodbridge’s Johnson, Rickard and Stopard Baker Hampstead booted them backwards for their forwards to establish a platform for renewed attack and in just such a tactic, ratcheting their way upfield, Collins scored twice; 5 and 10 mins after the restart.
A frustrated Amazons continued to run at Hampstead only occasionally kicking over but their forwards weren’t as accomplished at charging down the receiver. Even a penalty on the Hampstead 22, instead of providing an attacking platform, ended up in frantic defence back in the Amazon’s own 22. Eventually dogged persistence earned the hosts a well-deserved try from a scrum on the Hampstead 10m line passed out quickly to scorer Johnson to get them on the score sheet. Another Hampstead forward drive and score from prop Stevens ended this one sided contest.
Woodbridge Amazons 5 vs Hampstead 43
Media contacts
For further information please WRUFC contacts; Simon Ballard on 07766 136554,pressofficer@woodbridgerugby.net
Woodbridge Rugby Union Football Club, Hatchley Barn, Orford Road, Bromeswell, Suffolk, IP12 2PP.
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