Women’s rugby Cats maul visitors in ruthless, high-scoring display
CHEW Valley Cats cruised to a 69-7 victory over Oakmeadians at Lobbingtons Lane. There wasn’t much in it on the 12-minute mark, with the hosts holding a 10-7 lead. But from then on the Cats purred along nicely to add ten more tries without reply.
Full-back Charlotte Hynam was the star of the show, racking up an impressive 29-point haul thanks to a hat-trick of tries and seven conversions. The visitors did have the edge in the line-out and the Cats had to play the majority of the game minus influential vice-captain Rihanna Williams after she left the field with a twisted knee. But everything else fell nicely in place for the home side, who moved up to second in South West One as a result of their latest triumph. Nancy Portsmouth and Fiona Penfold both claimed try doubles, while Rachael Branch, Claire Hatherall, Taylor Woodman and Georgina Bessell also crossed the whitewash for the Cats.
St Mary’s Ladies, meanwhile, consolidated top spot after knocking over Newton Abbot 25-0. Poor weather conditions in Devon dictated that the order of the day was to keep it tight, and Saints did that better than the All Whites. Sammy Knighton was outstanding for the visitors, and was instrumental in the bonus-point victory.
Victoria Shakspeare, Tammy Howells, Chloe Tucker and Jo Smith all touched down, with Jade Gamlin adding a conversion and a penalty for the Bradley-Stoke based side.
An outstanding defensive performance, in which scrum-half Tina Best excelled, paved the way for Chipping Sodbury Ladies’ 5-0 win over Bath Ladies at The Ridings. The home side took an early lead when full-back Katie Summerville went over for an unconverted try, but spent most of the remainder of the match defending their line.
Bristol Bears Women went down 32-15 to Tyrrells Premier15s reigning champions Saracens Women at Shaftesbury Park. Kim Oliver’s side struggled to contain Sarries close-quarter power game that saw them cross for three tries in each half.
There were encouraging aspects, though, with youngsters Esme Bird and Simi Pam catching the eye for Bristol. Bryony Cleall (2), Lisa McKenna, Zoe Harrison and Lotte Clapp (2) all crossed for Sarries.
The Bears’ - now in sixth-place - points came courtesy of tries by Pam and Mackenzie Carson and a penalty and conversion from Elinor Snowsill. Bristol trio Amelia Buckland Hurry, Poppy Leitch and Clara Nielson have been included in the National Academy squad to face a USA Women’s Selects team at Newbury RFC next Tuesday (7.30pm) and Canada Women A at Cobham RFC on November 21 (7.30pm).
Meanwhile, following their recent selection camp, head coach Jo Yapp has selected an England Women Under-20s squad for this season.
Eight Bristol Bears Women are included for the three fixtures this season, against the Army and then home and away to France (details TBC). Charlie Budge, Hollie Cunningham, Merryn Doidge, Ebony Jefferies, Florence Long, Phoebe Murray, Lucie Skuse and Jessica Thomas are all named.