Determined
Bristol defeat Hove and avoid the drop!
The previous game of the season saw
Bristol Ladies complete part one of a two stage process which saw them keep
dreams of survival in the Championship South alive. Heading into this final
fixture, the only outcome which would ensure Bristol Ladies 2nd XV
stayed in the second division of then women’s’ league was a bonus point (5 try)
victory over Hove Ladies.
This was possibly Bristol’s most
complete performance of the season. They played with the heart and drive that suited
the occasion, taking the game to Hove from the off.
The home side, Hove, started the game
well – testing Bristol and putting up an excellent defence. The first 10
minutes saw two evenly matched teams in deadlock.
However Bristol were patient. Captain
Jenny Fotheringham highlighted the need for this in her pre-match talk – let
the game come to us, don’t put ourselves under unnecessary pressure, play our
style of rugby and the result will come.
The Bristol forwards faced up to the
larger Hove pack – holding their own and winning vital ball. Sadie Giles and
scrum half Sian Moore worked well to control the pace of the game – getting the
ball out to the girls on the wing. Debs Fleming was on the end of one such move
which saw her run around the final Hove defender to touch down for the first
points of the game.
Within minutes the second try came
for Fleming, who completed her hat-trick before half time. Whilst the score line
of 0 – 15 was a positive, the team were aware that two more tries were needed
to complete the task in hand, and that this would be the biggest 40 minutes of
their season.
They returned to the pitch with the
same vigour as when they left, with the momentum most definitely with Bristol.
Fleming got her fourth – another team try, with the forwards working hard to
secure the ball, getting it moving quickly to the wings where Fleming was
eagerly waiting.
With one try left for that all
important bonus point score the pressure was building. Philippa Tuttiett and
Sue Neumann (who was playing in the backs for the first time) both came close
to crossing the whitewash, but it was the now familiar figure of Debs Fleming
who crossed the line for the fifth try of the afternoon, closely followed by a
sixth to complete the win.
A brave effort by Hove, who fought
until the very end – but Bristol were too strong on this occasion – getting the
job done, the bonus point win, with the final score ending Hove Ladies 0 – 32
Bristol Ladies 2nd XV.
Captain Jenny ‘Chip’ Fortheringham spoke to us
after the game: ‘I am immensely proud of the girls today, I couldn’t have asked
for anything more from anyone. Everyone did everything these needed to and 100%
more, no-one put their head down, no one turned off – we did what we had to do
and it feels so amazing right now. A special mention goes out to the coaches
Pete Reakes and Matt Belbin – they’ve been through a lot with us this season,
the ups and the downs , and they’ve supported us and believed in us right until
the end – we couldn’t have done it without them’.
FORWARD of the game: Abbie Parsons – for her
tremendous work rate, excellent scrummaging and ball carrying and for her
expert work at the break down.
Abbie spoke to us about her experience ‘It was an
amazing game, we dominated through so much of the game, it was fantastic. It
was also great to have Emily Underwood back in the team – we’ve played against
each other so much through England U20s and the academy – it was great to be
back in Bristol colours on the same side’.
BACK of the game: Sue Neumann – she stepped in a 12
when emergency struck and played a great game. Running lots of dynamic lines,
she pulled off some great clearance kicks and was strong in defence as well as
attack.
‘That was awesome – it’s the first time I’ve played
in the back and I had some great support from the guys around me today. We put
a lot of pressure on Hove and to get the result we needed – it’s the best
feeling ever’.
