Winning ways in the new year

Sunday 5th January
Medway Women 0 – Canterbury Women 10

Kicking off the second half of the season with an away derby, is always something to relish, even with sub-zero temperatures, torrential rain and howling winds!

Canterbury started the game playing into the wind securing possession with a rapid chase, by flanker Hannah Sandeman, from the kick off. Dominant contact at the ruck from Inger Philpott and player of the match Jo Cole-Biroth ensured scrum-half Ella Jenkins could spark the back line into action. A well executed switch between fly-half Kate Rutherford and centre Emily Kent resulted in a busted tackle and twenty metres gained.

A quick tap penalty from Jenkins and powerful carry from Anneka Willis resulted in further metres gained but strong Medway defence halted the early territorial progress. Canterbury continued to attack in waves, there was no chance for the backline to get cold with fly-half Rutherford setting up attacking lines of play from every angle.

The scrum was a battle ground during the first half and Canterbury used this to continue to build pressure in the Medway twenty-two. However, despite building phases Canterbury kept falling agonisingly short.

A strong Canterbury break from Kent working in harmony with her centre partner Lily Adams took the ball hard to the gain line. Adams accelerated through contact with a precision fend. She delivered a sweetly floated pass to fullback Emily Moriarity who offloaded to winger Alice Hayward. Last ditch defensive effort from Medway denied Canterbury from scoring the opening try.

Medway used the wind to their advantage kicking and chasing hard to spark a period of attack, using their powerful centre and experienced number 8 to lead the charge back into the game. Here the entire Canterbury squad thrived on the defensive effort following in the ever enthusiastic Lucy Relf pushing up hard from the line and driving Medway back into the tackle.

With neither team converting any chances the score on the board at halftime remained 0-0. Captain Daniella Charles’ buoyed but the commitment in defence leading into the break gave a passionate team talk encouraging the same energy levels in attack.

From the whistle Charles engaged her impressive conviction at the breakdown turning the ball over and engaging wave after wave of attack. Rutherford continued to use her exceptional footwork to break the advantage line. Pressure continued to build but the 0-0 deadlock could not be broken.

Canterbury’s manager Tasha Weir utilised the bench effectively bringing on Olivia Crebbin to bring precision power into the front row and dynamic flanker Alexia Scarpulla. This change inspired a second wave of energy across the pitch.

With renewed commitment the ball floated down the back line. Wing Flori Nasar cut back into heart of pitch and offloaded to Willis. Engaging her powerful fend Willis broke through the heart of the Medway defensive line. Two hard carries and pods recycling the ball at pace. Rutherford quickly moved the ball to Adams cutting an exquisite hard line. The deadlock was broken as Adams dived for the first points.

Canterbury continued to build pressure attacking in a series of well-structured phases. Medway became increasingly frustrated and the penalty count began to rise.

Centre Amber Shepherd took to the field and made an immediate impact with several strong carries and rib crunching tackles. Relf, always a bundle of energy, made a sniping break down the left wing. Solid rucking and quick accurate passing from Jenkins unleashed Adams. With her trade mark side stepping Adams exploded with pace to score a hard fought team try. Adams was enveloped by the entire team, with the clock in the red that was the win.

It’s always an extremely competitive match against Medway but the fact a huge crowd braved the elements to enjoy a match played in the true spirit of the game is testament to both squads.