Sun 1 Sep 2024, 14:00
On a rather warm September afternoon, Peterborough ladies travelled over to Long Eaton for their opening game of the season. Long Eaton had players in plentiful supply and were looking to run their 1s and 2s players out so P'Boro knew it was going to be a testing game.
The first quarter saw both teams sizing each other up, the tempo was fast with both teams eager to get a try. P'boro's defence held up one try but Long Eaton were well drilled and were able to regather and attack out wide to score the first try. Not converted (5 - 0). By the second quarter, Boro ladies were working through the systems and the backs were able to find the gaps in the defence, scoring twice in quick sucession. Steff De Gracia scoring under the posts, converted by Jaz Devereux, and then Jaz breaking the line to score out wide (5 - 12). P'Boro were a man up, following a yellow card for a high tackle, however Long Eaton defence stepped up and we were unable to get over the line.
Half-time 5 - 12
Half time changes saw a swap of scrum halves, Katy Miller moved to flanker, and Penny Woods (Captain) in from the wing. Number 8, Cheryl Smith, moved to the wing and Erice Barbosa (Vice-Captain) moved from flanker to number 8. The yellow card was still running at the start of the third quarter and P'Boro were keen to make the most of it. It didn't take long for the ball to make it to Cheryl on the wing to run in two tries (5 - 24). The hot weather was taking it's toll and physio, Nick Langton, was almost on the pitch as much as the players. With no backs replacements, coach Hugh Burnham had to get creative with the changes and hooker, Abi Sullivan, found herself out on the wing. The game was back to 15-aside. A beautiful passage of play saw Kaitlin Anders have a storming run up the pitch, tackled, Penny as scrum half passing to fly half, Jaz, and back to Penny, back to Jaz to score and convert (5 - 31). Having minimal subs and a number of injuries, the final quarter ended saw us playing 13 v 15 and the back line mainly populated with forwards. Despite a lot of defensive work Long Eaton were able to utilise the overlap and score two tries to finish the game.
Full-time 17 - 31
Back of the match - Kaitlin Anders
Forward of the match - Cheryl Smith
Players playerand opposition player - Jaz Devereux
Thank you to Long Eaton for their hospitality andto the match official, the physios and the catering team.
Next game is at home against Bletchley, 2pm kick-off.
