Norfolk side Wymondham Wasps, the undefeated league leaders with a perfect 7 and 0 record, breezed into Hatchley Barn on Sunday, and left with a Bee in their bonnet!
Despite an impressive first half display that included tries from Nik Kaciubskyj, Laura Blowers, the always impressive Libby Lockwood and Canadian stand-off Kelsey Harpman, it wasn’t until halftime this match really kicked into life.
As the first half drew to a close, the Amazons were on the wrong end of a 0-26 scoreline, staring defeat in the face. The visitors had dealt with their Suffolk hosts very effectively, pressurising Woodbridge playmaker Claire Brickley at every opportunity, whilst doing the basics well themselves, rucking well and using inside passes to expose gaps in the Amazons defense.
After heavy pressure inside the Wymondham 22, referee Andy Wilesmith blew for the interval with the result virtually assured.
Instead of letting their heads drop and accepting a hiding, the Amazons once again showed their fighting spirit and in the last 15 minutes had the leaders well and truly rattled.
It was a different side that tore at their illustrious opponents after the restart, as drive after drive at the Wasps line was repelled. Super defending by the Norfolk side held firm, the threat was cleared and it was then the Wasps time to turn the screw.
Lockwood returned a high ball with interest, only for Amazon centre Kirsty Brierley to run her down yards from scoring. Just managing to get back in numbers, the Woodbridge defence held up a runner over the try line. Another try scoring opportunity and another attacker thwarted as the Amazons threw all they had at their Norfolk visitors. Eventually however, the ball was worked wide until Lockwood touched down to make it 0-31.
A tapped penalty by Brickley, followed by a quick turnover saw Lockwood grab her hattrick from halfway, making an already commanding score look totally unassailable.
Substitutes entered the fray on both sides, but it was the gutsy hosts that stood up in the closing quarter.
Excellent supporting lines saw the ball moved freely until Aby Kegg scored a first for the hosts.
Julie Thatcher converted to make it 7-36.
From the restart more pressure from Woodbridge had the leaders on the back foot, momentum, despite the scoreline firmly in their favour now.
A break from Brierley led to a scrum, and Carmelo Roisin powered her way from her number 8 position over at the corner.
It had been a great display from her, as well as resolute defence from winger Rhian Claydon out wide. Maggie Kelly simply ran through a Wasps defender at the death, and the injury was enough for the ref to call it a day.
It’s never fun getting beaten at home, but it’s totally acceptable to lose to a very good undefeated side, and go down fighting, heads held high at the final whistle. Once again this group of ladies showed tremendous courage, and a rebuilding season is fast developing into a great looking squad.

Harwich & Dovercourt 12 v Woodbridge Amazons 5

Match Report by Ian Girling

Having enjoyed a terrific reversal over Tabard the previous Sunday in Hertfordshire, the chance to avenge a 5-26 defeat to Essex side Harwich & Dovercourt this week looked a tantalising, and achievable goal for the in-form Woodbridge Amazons.

However, after once again starting slowly and giving up an early lead, it was three missed opportunities that gifted the hosts a fortuitous double.

H&D’s number 8 stole a ball after 3 minutes and as all the back line worked leftwards, fullback Yaz Amber burst against the drift to touch down under the posts. Annalise Allen kicked the conversion for a 7 point advantage.

The Amazons reacted well to that early wakeup call and the first of those missed opportunities occurred when Carmel Roisin was held up over the hosts try line.

The hosts picked themselves up after that scare, and in front of a large and vociferous Vice Presidents crowd, went further ahead. Sian Fahei drove over from close range, the conversion was missed, 0-12.

The Amazons stepped up a gear and began to dominate possession. Harwich kicked their way out of trouble, but some good lines of running by both backs and forwards maintained a territorial edge in the visitors favour.

Jenni Ray was held up over the try line, and moments later another golden opportunity went begging as Roisin picked up from the back of a 5 metre scrum – but didn’t ground the ball until she was through the in goal area!

The half ended with the hosts, somewhat amazingly, enjoying a 12-0 advantage.

The second half was a scrum fest as conditions worsened. This played into the Amazons hands somewhat as props Paula Ireland and Toni Bell turned their opposite numbers inside out, while loose forwards Maggie Kelly and Karen Black swarmed the Harwich ball carriers. Skipper Claire Brickley and centre Anna Dewberry ran lovely direct lines at the heart of Harwich’s defence, and after a series of penalties against the hosts inside their own 22, the ball was eventually worked left for Dewberry to score. Brickley missed the conversion to make it 5-12, and despite gaining ascendancy, no further scoring chances were created.

H&D looked relieved at the final whistle, and it certainly seemed a case of “what might have been” for the visitors.

Overall, these past two weeks have seen a marked improvement by Woodbridge though, and with a week off to recover before the league leaders Wymondham roll into town on January 29th, the signs are promising for a great 2017!