Eccleshall Ladies
Women's Rugby Union Football Team
Match Reports
Lutterworth Fixtures
23/01/10 - Lutterworth - Home
Eccleshall went into this match with concern. Due to the recent exploits of the snowy weather, the ladies team had not trained or played since mid-December. They were very keen to get back onto the pitch but unfortunately due to a waterlogged pitch, this couldn't be their usual Fortress of Baden Hall. Not to worry though as second home Gnosall became the pitch of choice for the long awaited return match against Lutterworth.
Eccleshall were also missing key players, Amy Seabridge (team captain), Liz Halliday (2nd row), Alex Downes (winger extraordinaire) and Becky Brayshaw (whippet flanker).
Vice captain Sabrina McGill stepped up to the mark, the Lutterworth captain confidently chose to receive the kick after winning the toss. A decision she came to regret as forward of the match Becky James scored from the kick off after a fumble by the Lutterworth full back gifted her a try in the first 30 seconds of play. The confident foot of Meadhbh Westwood duly converted.
With players out of position in the back line, the Eccleshall backs took the game to Lutterworth on many an occasion and just unfortunately couldn't get through their powerhouse backs (or were they forwards in disguise?).
Lutterworth converted a penalty after some lazy running was picked up Eric the Ref.
Ruth Clewer felt the full force of the Lutterworth outside centre as she try to bulldoze her way through. Some good work from the pack and some deep running from the Lutterworth backs saw them dance through the middle of the Eccleshall pack for a try in the corner. Not converted.
Both sides were evenly matched and it looked like the score would remain 10-7 much to Eccleshall's dismay.
The side regrouped at halftime and came back into the game and a mistake by the Lutterworth 9 at the scrum left Alice Hodkinson open to steal the ball and duck, dodge and dive over the line for the 2nd Eccleshall try of the game. A magnificent kick from Meadhbh Westwood secured the score at 14-8.
The scrums were not steady enough to allow Eccleshall to release their backs but with some good rucking and quick ball the talents of Rachel Hodgkinson, Ruth Clewer, back of the match Sarah Poole and Becky Davies were there for the very cold crowd to enjoy. The quick legs of the Lutterworth wing denied Eccleshall the try.
After camping out in Eccleshall's 22 for over 5 minutes of the last quarter, Lutterworth only managed to come away with a converted penalty.
Sabrina McGill (Vice Captain) said "When the whistle blew for full time, both teams held their heads high as this had been a very competitive game of rugby with neither side losing their focus or commitment to their team mates, thankfully though Eccleshall were victorious."
08/11/09 - Lutterworth - Away
The Eccleshall Ladies always knew that a match away from home was going to be tough but none are ever as rough and tough as the games at Lutterworth.
Both teams were promoted last season and both had a lot to prove. This was going to be a great marker for the winning side.
The game started as expected with Eccleshall kicking deep into the Lutterworth 22. The pack ran the ball straight into contact and the battle of the forwards began.
A great line from a stable scrum allowed Ruth Clewer to power through the Lutterworth backs after receiving a tidy pass from Amy Seabridge. Meadhbh Westwood converted.
After a great deal of forward pressure, rucking and mauling, neither side were showing any sign of backing down. A quickly taken penalty saw Lutterworth dive over for their first try of the game. The first half ended 7-5.
After a stern talking to from coach Tim West about Heart and playing with Pride, the Eccleshall Ladies were back in the game with vengeance and the sustained pressure from the forwards enabled newcomer Ruth Clewer to power over through again for her second try of the game, again converted by Meadhbh Westwood.
Special mention must go to Rachel Hodgkinson and Samantha Vaughn who did an exceptional job of taking each other out during a head on collision with the Lutterworth centre.
This was an exceptional performance from the Ladies who held their discipline remarkably well in the face of some antagonistic Lutterworth Ladies.
29/03/09 - Lutterworth - Home
On a day in which Eccleshall rugby club hosted the U11's County Championship the ladies kept their winning streak going.
Visitors Lutterworth had only lost once all season and had beaten Eccleshall at their ground earlier on in the season.
The home side started well with a strong platform being provided by the pack to ensure the backs had plenty of space.
The tries in the first half coming from Centre Alex Downes and back of the match Rachel Hodgkinson who also added two conversions to her tally.
Eccleshall defended well against a spirited Lutterworth side and ensured that defence turned to attack with turn over ball and quicker, cleaner rucking than in previous games.
The home side felt unlucky to concede the tries but kept the momentum up with more tries from Alex and Rachel in the second half. Forward of the match went to Sabrina Crossley for her work both in the scrum and around the park.