Novocastrians RFC is located in the heart of Newcastle and is one of the best amateur rugby clubs in the north east. The Ladies side have been triumphant in most of their games so far this season, resulting in them sitting in second place in the Championship One North league.

Both sides will be eager for the win, so undoubtedly a tough game faces Waterloo Ladies this weekend.

The match will take place on Sunday 1^st November, kick off at 2pm .  All support will be greatly appreciated!

The game kicked off with both teams trying to assert themselves. Eccles spent much of the first 10 minutes trying to break the Waterloo defense. However, the defensive line held strong until an unfortunate error gave Eccles a penalty in kicking distance. Eccles made a clean kick. Score 0 – 3.

Unhappy with being behind on the scoreboard at home, Waterloo went hard in attack for the next five minutes and at 17 minutes Lydia Chadwick broke through the Eccles defense for the first Waterloo points. Followed by an easy conversion for Beth Stott. Score 7 – 3.

The rivalry waged on again for the next five minutes with strong pieces of play being made by both teams. A scrum at 22 minutes  worked in favour of Waterloo allowing Corinne Allmark to pick from the back of the scrum and play the ball out to Ale Lewis, hand out to Beth Stott for a cleverly timed pass to Rebekah Wilson for another Waterloo try. Unfortunately no conversion. Score 12 -3.

Only minutes later it was some clever foot work from Hannah Williams who made a break for Waterloo and passed out to Ashleigh Neale for a try by the posts meaning an easy conversion for Beth Stott. Score 19 – 3.

At 31 minutes it was another pick at the back of the scrum for Corinne Allmark and a great break meant another try for Waterloo. Another good kick from Beth Stott for the conversion. Score 26 – 3.

An unfortunate injury minutes later to Ale Lewis saw her leave the pitch, substituted for Natasha Wilson. A reshuffle of positions and the game continued.

Half Time Score 26 – 3.

Two minutes into the second half and it was a determined scrum from Waterloo leading to hands across the field with an assist from Hannah Williams to Rebekah Wilson for another try under the posts. The kick hit the post. Score 31 – 3.

Corinne Allmark got a steal five minutes later and passed out to Georgie Perris-Redding, who ran from half way for a try under the posts. Converted by Beth Stott. Score 38 – 3.

Eccles began to focus on defense to control the scoreboard, which worked effectively for the next 15 minutes.

Waterloo opted for some fresh legs at 60 minutes with two substitutions. Amy Stanley replaced Lydia Chadwick and Derren Whalley replaced Amanda Hughes.

Three minutes later it was another assist for Beth Sott and another try for Corinne Allmark this time at the base of the posts. Converted by Beth Stott. Score 45 – 3.

At 66 minutes it was hands along the back line and another assist from Beth Stott to Rebekah Wilson for a Waterloo try. Again, converted by Beth Stott. Score 52 -3.

Eager for more it was only 2 minutes later that Ashleigh Neale managed a quick pass out to Rebekah Wilson and another Waterloo try, again converted by Beth Stott. Score 59 -3.

At 74 minutes, Dani Wiseman came on for Georgie Perris-Redding.

With only a minute remaining, Dani Wiseman picked up the ball and charged through for a try. Converted by Beth Stott. Score 66 – 3.

Final Score 66 – 3.

Game Honours:

Forward of the Match: Leigh Hewison

Back of the Match: Corinne Allmark

Mascots Player: Leigh Hewison

A big thanks to Eccles for applying pressure throughout the game. Firwood Waterloo Ladies wish Eccles Ladies the best for the rest of the season.

Another massive thanks must go to mascot Harvey (pictured above with the team) who did a brilliant job putting the ball on the half way line after each try and recovering the ball after the kicks. Harvey is always an awesome supporter of Firwood Waterloo Ladies and on Sunday made an even better mascot!

Looking forward, Firwood Waterloo Ladies will play Newcastle Novocastrian Ladies away this coming Sunday 1st November 2015. 2:30pm KO. Free entry. All welcome!!

Report courtesy of Firwood Waterloo

Last season Eccles Ladies finished sixth in the Championship North One League. Representative players included 12 players selected for Lancashire, and one for North of England, so Eccles are a thriving team, looking to better last year’s results. In the 2014/2015 season, Waterloo Ladies were victorious in both games with results of 0-48 and 69-0.

Waterloo ladies are expecting a tough game as always against Eccles this weekend, so please do come down to Firwood Waterloo RFC on Sunday for a great display of rugby, kicking off at 2pm.

Mascot U7s Isobelle Smith and Captain Rachael Thomas

This is always a hard game as the travel can impact teams. However, the travel did not seem to hinder Novocastrians as you could tell by the enthusiasm in their warm-up, that they were up for a strong and challenging game. However, with a fifty first consecutive win in the balance, Waterloo Ladies were always going to come out strong. Additionally, Firwood Waterloo Ladies had the extra boost of mascot Isobelle Smith who plays for Waterloo Under 7’s who lead the team out with Captain Rachael Thomas to do the coin toss.

The first half was a one-sided game in the favour of Waterloo who put thirty eight points past Novos, with the opposition yet to score. Substitutions were made throughout the game, welcoming on the pitch new faces in Rachel Porter, and old faces in Amanda Hughes, Ashleigh Neale, Ellie Huckle and Derren Whalley. The second half of the match was tough and challenging for both sides, with Novos managing to score twice, and Waterloo only adding to their score line slightly. However Waterloo Ladies were victorious, extending their consecutive league wins to fifty one. The final score of the game was 43 – 12.

Match honours were given to Emma Hutchinson, being awarded ‘Forward of the Match’, Ashleigh Neale with ‘Back of the Match’, and Rebecca Owen receiving ‘Player of the Match’ which was awarded by Isobelle Smith, the mascot.

Report and photos courtesy of Waterloo Ladies

Travelling away to their rivals Loughborough, the ladies were facing last year’s runners up having lost a number of key players over the summer break, a win was not guaranteed. Although the hospitality, as always, was very welcoming the game was hard fought.

Firwood Waterloo Ladies rose to the challenge with a decisive victory winning 57-0, as well as achieving the momentous milestone they also secured their first vital bonus point of the season.

This coming season will be a testing one for Waterloo Ladies as they attempt to continue their winning streak and increase the number of try scores, which could ultimately decide the league.

This is the fourth season that Waterloo Ladies look to conquer Championship North 1, having topped the league for the past three consecutive years; 2012-2014.

The next fixture, on 13 September, will see the Blundellsand side welcome Novocastrian Ladies to the Memorial Ground, kick off 14.30pm.  Free entry and all are welcome.

All Championship North Fixtures here.

Report courtesy of Firwood Waterloo Ladies.