The Women of the Wold pick up a clean sheet win

Chilly and "breezy" conditions and 21 enthusiastic Southwold Women welcomed Braintree Ladies to Southwold Common on Sunday. It was great to see a full bench for the first time this season, though the squad did include three newbies who had never played in a match before - let alone a League match. Also good to see the array of colourful Oddballs lycras!

We spent most of the first quarter in our half partly due to the wind direction and partly due to the difference between the ref's interpretation of sealing-off at rucks and ours. Despite the resulting penalties we defended our line and refused to concede a try - and they missed a penalty kick.

Becky Two-Tries and Courtney had some great carries up the middle but without the support to capitalise. Abi was also breaking the line in the centres but tweaked her knee during a double hit and had to retire early. Then Hannah, who was unusually playing in the backs but as per usual had been awesome in defence, broke through 40m out and ran in under the posts. Unfortunately soon afterwards she hurt her ribs and though she bravely played on for a while, a further big hit caused a more significant rib injury and she was forced to leave the field.

We went in at half time 5-0 up.

Despite continued penalties for our ruck attack, we were looking much more dominant in the second half - with the wind. Despite two 18 year old front-rowers our scrum got better and better and we won several against the head. Meanwhile, Ri was disrupting their lineouts denying them clean ball from their set pieces and keeping them on the back foot.

Courtney, who been breaking their defence lines all day, picked up the ball 5m out and no one was going stop her getting a well deserved try. Her first of many for the club! Not long after, Robin received the ball just outside their 22 and ran around the defence to score untouched and without the need for any of her trademark hand-offs!

By the end of what was an extraordinary long game, due to the injury stoppages and referee lectures, we had managed to get all the newbies on the pitch for their first real rugby experience - including Stacey for a fabulous last 60 seconds!

Arn the Women of the Wold