Written by Meg Esser

An excited crowd at the lane saw the women’s 1XV face Amesbury. With new players joining the club, we saw a debut for Havant women’s 1XV in this league from former Worthing captain Carol Tenant and former Newbury player Jennifer Mennell.

The women started the game well, working hard from the kick off, a scrum on the 5m line gave Havant the chance to ship the ball off the back of the scrum in the 2nd minute. Number 10 Sam King saw the space and grounded the ball over the line, with the conversion unsuccessful, the score was 5-0 to the women.

The second try of the game came in the 7th minute. A line break from Jess Codrington and a quick pass to Emma Ralph gave them the try. The conversion by Amy Brittan was successful, making the score 12-0.

After many offloads and a strong tackle by Amesbury out to touch, Havant regathered and came powering from the 22. The ball flew into the hand of Chloe Stopard and with a great dummy, Chloe was through to score under the posts. Another successful conversion by Amy Brittan. Score 19-0. Havant constantly dominated in the scums throughout this first half thanks to the experienced front row consisting of; Katie Casey, Ruby Dunaway and Lucy King.

After a period of play within Amesbury’s half, with Havant showing Amesbury all of the work and new processes in the set piece. Havant turned over the ball in 3/5 of the scrums. A swift ball out to Jess Codrington resulted in her running down the wing and scoring the 4th try of the game. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful making the score 24-0 at half time.

The women worked hard from the second half whistle with a strong kick to touch by number 12, Chloe Stopard. A lineout on the Amesbury 5m line was successfully stolen and a maul pursued. Hooker Ruby Dunaway grounded the ball for the 5th try of the game, unsuccessfully converted. Score 29-0

Another line out won on the 5m line in the 52nd minute got the ball out to the backs, winger Emma Ralph ran the ball down the wing but was tackles just short of the line. Number 8 and captain Natasha Bullock received the ball and broke the line for try number 6. Successfully converted by Chloe Stopard. Score 36-0.

Another strong run in the 54th minute by Natasha Bullock broke the line deep in Amesbury’s half. The ball was swiftly offloaded to the backs and another try for Sam King! Conversion Successful by Chloe Stopard. Score 43-0

A kick chase in the 56th minute from Jess Codrington gave Havant another go at a try, with Abi Pearson scooping up the ball and scoring yet another try. Conversion unsuccessful. Score 48-0.

The women are on fire today with Jess Codrington constantly breaking the line and gaining ground. This ball makes it way out to the wing where winger Ellie Gadd ground the ball for another try. Conversion unsuccessful. Score 53-0.

A period of try scoring ensured, this resulted in a brace from Captain Natasha Bullock which was successfully converted by Chloe Stopard and a hat trick from winger Ellie Gadd. The final try of the game was scored with another brace from Jess Codrington on which was converted successfully by Chloe Stopard.
Final Score 77-0.

Captain Natasha Bullock had this to say, “ If we can play like we did in that second half in all of our games, we know that other oppositions wont be able to match that intensity.”

This fixture moves Havant Women 1XV to 2nd in the league, behind Drybrook who they narrowly lost out to a few weeks ago.

Forward of the match was Alice Jennings for her good running lines and great support play, her work rate off the ball was also incredible. Back of the match was Lauren Gillingham for her constant work on and off the pitch. A recent convert to scrum half, her skills have improved significantly and she is excited to continue with this.