Cup campaign starts with a bang for Bristol Ladies, as they beat Waterloo 57 – 3 at Trowbridge RFC. With eight first team players out on international duty, a new look Bristol side took to the field this afternoon.
Waterloo started with intent, getting into the Bristol 22 within the first few minutes. Strong Bristol defence took care of the attack, with a counter attack taking action to the other end of the pitch almost immediately. The first 10 minutes followed this format, with end to end action as both teams tried to assert their claim on the ball.
On 11 minutes, Alice Rooke was on the receiving end of a series of well worked attacks and excellent offloads to crash over for the first points of the game. Sadly, injuring herself in the process, as Sarah Bern took to the field from the bench.
Waterloo hit straight back, with Bristol indiscipline at the breakdown being penalised, and slotted a penalty to take the score to 5 – 3.
Bristol stepped up their game from this point, with a line out on the Waterloo 5 metre line resulting in a driving maul, and a try for Kate Newton.
Debutant scrum half Taz Bricknall and Welsh winger Philippa Tuttiett added their name to the score sheet before half time, with Tuttiett converting the last two efforts. Jade Shekells almost got one of her own, but dropped the ball over the try line, leaving the score at half time as 24 – 3.
Half time – Bristol 24 (4 tries, 2 conv) – 3 Waterloo Ladies (1 pen)
The second half began with some stout defending from Waterloo, with the first 20 minutes seeing entertaining and competitive rugby. Bristol were playing quick rugby, with players across the fit showing fast pace, light feet and accurate passing. Waterloo kept the pressure on, with physical work at the breakdown, and not giving Bristol the space they wanted.
The deadlock broke on 62 minutes when substitute Bryony Cleall found a hole in the Waterloo line and darted through, Tuttiett converted successfully. Clara Nielson found her way through in a similar fashion, heading out wide around the Waterloo line.
The last 10 minutes saw three more tries from the home side, with Cleall getting her second and Sian Kersse and Sarah Bern adding their names to the score sheet.
A good day in the office for Bristol, with eight different try scorers and the new names on the team sheet proving their worth.
Final score – Bristol 57 (9 tries, 6 conv) – 3 Waterloo Ladies (1 pen)
Forwards Coach – Roy Davies said after the match: “It was really good to get some new players in the squad today and give them an opportunity to play. They really brought a lot of energy and freshness to our game and it was really pleasing to see them come in and have a real intent to play. This cup campaign is a chance to put the league behind us – this is our start of next season. There were six new faces in the squad today, and for three of them to cross the whitewash goes to show the strength of our squad! Waterloo played well today and really made us work hard for each score – our challenge now is to meet each future challenge head on and get the detail right.”
Captain – Amelia Buckland Hurry added: “The debutants were a real positive influence on the squad today, they played instinctively, with confidence and commitment. Our more senior players also adapted well, with some out of position. Sian Moore moved to 10 today with some fantastic handling – it was a really nice blend, and I’m really excited for our next fixture in this cup campaign. We’ll continue to work on our set piece, but also get to know each other even better and gel as a team.”
Forward of the game: Amelia Buckland Hurry
Back of the game: Philippa Tuttiett
Voted for by the water girls from Walcot RFC
GAME STATS:
11 mins – TRY – Bristol – Alice Rooke, 5 – 0
12 mins – PEN – Waterloo – ? – 5 – 3
20 mins – TRY – Bristol – Kate Newton – 10 – 3
25 mins – TRY – Bristol – Bricknell – 15 – 3
26 mins – CONV – Bristol – Tuttiett – 17 – 3
38 mins – TRY – Bristol – Tuttiett – 22 – 3
39 mins – CONV – Bristol – Tuttiett – 24 – 3
HT
62 mins – TRY – Bristol – Cleall – 29 – 3
63 mins – CONV – Bristol – Tuttiett – 31- 3
65 mins – TRY – Bristol – Nielson – 36 – 3
72 mins – TRY – Bristol – Cleall – 41 – 3
73 mins – CONV – Bristol – Tuttiett – 43 – 3
78 mins – TRY – Bristol – Kersse – 48 – 3
78 mins – CONV – Bristol – Tuttiettt – 50 – 3
80 mins – TRY – Bristol – Bern – 55 – 3
80 mins – CONV – Bristol – Tuttiett – 57 – 3
Teams
Bristol Ladies: Lottie Holland, Kath Fok, Jade Shekells, Phillipa Tuttiet, Matilda Vaughn Fowler, Sian Moore, Taz Bricknell, Kate Newton, Clara Nielson, Kayleigh Armstrong, Amelia Buckland Hurry, Jessie Hood, Alice Rooke, Becki Belcher, Sue Newman
Replacements: Kathry Buggy, Daisy Travers, Sian Kersse, Bryony Cleall, Sarah Bern, Chantelle Miel
Waterloo Ladies: Vanessa Temple, Nyamedo Hannah Addae Dapaah Gyamfuaa, Hannah Williams, Corinne Allmark, Prudence Blyth, Caoimhe Morris, Rachel Porter, Rachael Thomas, Amy Stanley, Lydia Chadwick, Keira McCosh, Emma Hutchinson, Natasha Wilson, Kate Edwards, Catherine O’Donnell
Report courtesy of Emma Bacon, Media Manager, Bristol Ladies
Photo by Rikki Teml
