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Ladies in National Cup Semis

Ladies in National Cup Semis

Sarah Edwards9 Feb 2015 - 18:49
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For the second year in a row, Antlers ladies are into the National Junior Cup Semi-Finals after their encouraging 34-0 win over Devon side Cullompton.

A year ago, Cullompton were also the visitors to Bushy Park, that time in the semis, and that was a much tighter affair with just a score in it, but this year comfortably belonged to a much improved Teddington side who took control after a good initial ten minutes from the visitors.

In the opening exchanges the visitors really came hard at Teddington, with a powerful scrum helping their strong running centre to make ground. Antlers soaked up all the early pressure very well indeed and Laura Parry earned them good territory with some decent kicks into the corner.

After 15 minutes Antlers started to take control with strong running up front from the ever-present Heather Smith and captain Penny Carr earning the hard yards and having got a grip on the scrum, the hosts found themselves just a few metres out as they packed down to take the lead. The scrum was solid – with Karin Ballantyne and Katie Browne going very well against a much bigger pack – and Smith’s offload to Aimee Miller saw the scrum half loop around and put Jane Wescott into space. The winger had plenty to do and it was a great finish in the corner for the 5-0 lead.

Antlers scored again almost immediately when Emma Davis made 20 metres from the kick off and when the ball was recycled wide the threatening Izzy Jorris raced through a tackle to sprint 50 metres and score under the sticks. Rhian Clarkson made it 12-0.

Wescott was over again about just before half time when Miller’s superb break set play up nicely in the 22 and the winger – who can’t seem to stop scoring at the moment – was over again to touch down.

Cullompton never stopped running hard but Teddington’s four chances resulting in four tries seemed to deflate their attacking efforts and facing a 22-0 deficit into the second half was a tough ask.

As it was, the Devon side were much improved in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, running hard and showing some great pace and footwork from the back and forcing Antlers to defend hard. Defence has been something of a strength this season though for Antlers and once the pressure was dealt wit and they found themselves back in the Cullompton 22. Sarah Edwards and Zoe Feenan were combining very well indeed at the lineout and play was spread from right to left before a scrum 5 metres out saw Smith and Miller combine brilliantly again for a second try for the scrum half and an unassailable 27-0 lead.

The icing was put on the cake when a fine break from Emma Kite saw her burst through the middle and execute a perfect 2 V 1 to put Davis, who had another excellent game – into space for the final try.

It was a strong performance from the pack in particular against a bigger side while out wide Nicola Collins and Hollie Blenman put in some strong hits and ran hard all day. All fingers are crossed for Izzy Jorris who went off with a nasty looking knee injury!

The ladies now will look ahead to the Griffin Cup where for the first time in the club’s history they will field a development t team to play Harlequins at home on Sunday at 11.30am.

Well done to all involved.

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