Peterborough RUFC

Bedford Blues Women 0 Peterborough Ladies 53

A shortish trip down the A1/A421 for the first league game of the season at Goldington Road, in front of a large crowd, and a PA announcer !

Bedford kicked off and spent the first two minutes in the Boro 22, but from that point on, there was only one team in the match. Backs and forwards were showing great hands, drawing defenders and offloading, making the hosts commit players in the rucks in centre field, before using the numbers and space out wide. I thought that Boro had wasted a chance with space on the left, only for Cheryl to score on the right a couple of phases later. Almost immediately (or so it seemed), both Lucy and Ellie had been the beneficiaries of similar dominant play to extend Boro's lead. I was sure that I head the stadium announcer say the the first two Boro tries were scored by Alesha Dixon and Sporty Spice (might have been my hearing). Cheryl was on hand to grab her second try, converted by Maddy, before Jess P was able to score the final try of a very productive half, with Boro leading 27 - 0.

Random observation Steph Drake looked like she was playing basketball at times, something Steph Warlow would never do !

A number of substitutions at half time, and not surprisingly, the attacking fluidity took time to get going again. However, the defence was magnificent from the entire playing squad. The speed off the line stopped the (Auckland) Blues from getting on the front foot. In fact, the Boro pack had the upper hand in the set piece, again, not allowing the (Cardiff) Blues any clean ball. Eventually the dam was burst when Nat, then Maddy scored tries from quick thinking. Cody was able to score a try in her first match, and Poppy was able to bring the Boro score past 50 points (Maddy converting the final two tries).

So, apart from the nine tries and not conceding what did we learn ? Coach Hugh was (not surprisingly) chuffed and Coach Ade was pleased to see the hard work from training put into a match.

(Rhythm and) Blues Boro Player of the Match - Maddy

Forwards of the match - Steph and Mel

Back of the match - Jess P

Players player - Poppy

Next up, a home match against Rugby Lionesses, Sunday 2 October, some more of the same please.

Rob Warlow