Teddington 31 Lewes 10

The game had moved location due to poor weather and despite difficult underfoot conditions, the visitors played some quick enterprising rugby and scored five well-worked team tries. Teddington began at a furious pace with one sequence of play taking them from deep inside their own 22 to within a metre of the Lewes line, but the month’s break took its toll, with both sides struggling to maintain the fast start.

With Karin Ballantyne and Laura Semple making great inroads up front, Teddington scored first through Hollie Blenman. A scrum inside the Lewes 22 saw the hard-working Heather Smith break right, offload to Aimee Miller who then put in a fine pass to Blenman who finished well in the corner.

Jo Mair was next to score when again the platform was laid up front by the well organised pack with Penny Carr also carrying well, and the winger dotted down after a few surges for the line were driven backwards.
Lewes did get a score back when their strong running centre made the most of a slip in midfield, but Antlers ended the half strongly with Miller stopped just short of the line after a superb 60 metre run thanks to a well won turnover.

Teddington were a different team after the break, controlling the swirling wind and territory much better and making the most of their chances. With Clare Brown making hard yards in midfield there were much better opportunities for the backs to stretch their legs but it was the pack who grabbed the next score – Karen Griffin going over for her first ever try for Antlers and Laura Parry converting.

Next up it was Parry’s turn to race over when Antlers dominated a scrum and Lewes pushed up too hard in midfield, leaving a huge hole for a fine finish which she converted to take the game beyond reach. Lewes, to their credit, did not give up, and a series of missed tackles allowed them to sneak in for one more score.
The bonus point was won when Nicola Collins raced 60 metres on an excellent solo effort to dot down, with the conversion making it 31-10.

Some heroic defending from Sarah Edwards, Zoe Feenan, Chryssa Warlow and Suzy Taljard saw some excellent tackles being made in the second half, while all of the replacements, Gemma Randall, Toni Kershaw and Phaedra Bailey made a positive impact.

Antlers will be delighted to have dusted off the cobwebs and got 2014 off to a good start. Next up is Aylesford ladies and another road trip.