PENCOED PHOENIX .. 59 YNYSDDU LADIES ..... 23

PENCOED Phoenix progressed through to the National Plate semi-final scoring 10 tries in the process against Ynysddu Ladies who were competitive throughout and scored four tries of their own.

The Blaenau Gwent visitors opened the scoring with a penalty from Amy Hurley. Phoenix soon responded, centre Lauren Aitken breaking deep into the visitors 22 and the supporting Natalie O’Shea raced over. A break from second row forward Rachel Jones set up the second home try, O’Shea again on hand to apply the finish. Prop forward Jodie Jordan then laid the platform for the next Phoenix try, her driving run putting the visitors on the back foot and Aitken capitalised to take play into the Ynysddu 22 where the everpresent O’Shea crossed for her try hat-trick within 25 minutes. The dominant home front row of Elleri Harries Thomas, hooker Rose Lubin, and Jordan were constantly putting Phoenix on the front foot and outside half Leanne Burnell worked the scissors with centre Aitken who split the visitors defence and good hands saw O’Shea put captain Amy Stevens over wide out. Another driving run from Jordan set up ruck possession before Hannah Seward broke the initial cover and Charlotte Mundy released Burnell with a overhead pass and the pace of Burnell took her outside of the visitors cover for a fine try. A scrum against the head saw Phoenix move the ball wide and the supporting Jones used every inch of her 6-foot-plus frame to reach the try line. To their credit Ynysddu at 32-3 down fought back to enjoy their best period of the match, winning and retaining lots of possession resulting in tries either side of the interval from Carly Tutton and Emily Parker.

Then a brilliant solo effort from Burnell saw Phoenix lead 37-13. Ynysddu then got their third try from Jodie Williams. Seward then slotted a home penalty and soon after put O’Shea over for her fourth try, Burnell adding the extras. Burnell was again soon in the picture selling a dummy and breaking before feeding O’Shea who stormed away from fifty metres to score, Burnell converting. Ynysddu once again hit back with their fourth try from Katie Davies. But it was the irrepressible O’Shea who had the final say with her sixth try of the match !