Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Fledgling side show plenty of promise in big win
Ten unanswered tries showed Faversham Ladies’ potential in what was only their fourth competitive fixture, a 56- 0 success in a home friendly against Basildon.
The developing side showed skill and teamwork beyond their experience to see off dogged opponents.
The opening phases of the game saw Faversham a little slow to get going and rushed passing and hesitant running meant they struggled to break out from their own half, let alone threaten to score. The hosts eventually settled as their pack exerted their dominance over the opposition, driving Basildon off their ball in the scrum. Strong carries from Jo ColeBiroth and Maggie Czentye led Faversham deeper into the opposition half and they sucked in opposing defenders as they went. With confidence building and space opening before them, the back-line combined crash balls and swift passing to cross for Faversham’s first try. A hesitant Basildon defensive line gave the home side plenty of room to attack and Kate Scotland, playing at fly-half, hit a strong line off the back of the scrum to run 40 metres for the opening score. From the restart Faversham appeared calmer and better structured at the breakdown, no longer rushing play but passing and attacking with purpose. A succession of strong rucks brought them from their own 22 into the Basildon half and with defensive players again sucked-in, an overlap developed on the right for Scotland to exploit once more for try No.2.
The second half continued in similar fashion with Faversham attacking a passive defensive line and punishing Basildon in the scrum.
Strong support-running and smart offloading meant half chances turned into breakaway tries and the home team quickly racked up the points.
Two tries came for Laura Charter, intercepting a loose pass to cross unchallenged and breaking free off the back of a scrum to run clear from 40 metres out.
A further two scores came from Liz Spruin, firstly hitting a brilliant inside line in the first phase of a scrum to split the defence and score under the posts and secondly, putting pace to good use to get around the leftwing and score unchallenged.
Scotland completed her hattrick, taking the final off-load from a break-out run by Spruin.
The confidence displayed by Faversham shows a clear mark of progress and will be encouragement for further improvement.