Amazons fight for well-deserved win against Oakmedians
Match Report: National Challenge SE1 League, Sunday 9 December 2012
Woodbridge Amazons 25 v Oakmeadians 19
Woodbridge Amazons started by testing their visitor’s defences with runs from their strong back line, EJ Stearn, Louise Rickard and Vikki Watts fed by Chloe Stopard Baker. This put the Oakmeadians under pressure and forced clearance kicks from Sophia Luxton playing well at 10. Play moved to the Oakmeadian 22 where their big forwards stole possession from the less settled Amazon scrum containing players out of position and new to the team. The home team re-launched attacks from penalties that eventually yielded a try from Louise Rickard.
The Oakmeadian pack was getting the measure of their opposite numbers and covered well, keeping the attack fairly narrow by chasing well but, when they won possession, too often they kicked it away only to allow Emma Johnson, the Amazon full-back, to ignite another attack. Towards the end of the half Oakmeadian’s scrum half Alison Lappin set up wing, Kerry Hayman, who cut through from a ruck to score a converted try.
Not to be denied the Amazons consolidated the kick off and, from the scrum, moved the ball quickly across pitch for EJ Stearn to score and, within minutes of the restart they repeated the move for Stopard Baker to do the same.
After the break the hosts continued to try and keep the play fast and despite some great forward play from the Oakmeadians front row and flankers Holly Blackhurst and Sarah Bradley their repeated clearance kicks allowed EJ Stearn to score again.
Learning from their mistakes the Oaks pack kept it in hand and gained ground from some aggressive rucking, forcing the Amazons back to their 22 and then releasing their centres who offloaded to Sophia Luxton to cut back in and score. Clearly encouraged the visitors defended better and attacked with their runners more effectively as the injury stoppages increased, pinning Woodbridge in their own 22 for a long time before Luxton found a gap and beat EJ Stearn to take the score to 20-19.
In the last ten minutes the visitors gifted another clearance kick to Emma Johnson and the Amazon three-quarter line quickly moved the ball wide for Sarah Kinsley to score and seal the victory 25-19.
Woodbridge Amazons 25 Oakmeadians 19
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