Bury Ladies V Anselmians Warriors

On a baltic Sunday afternoon where the cold air stung the nostrils, the Anselmian Warriors played their third game as a developmental side. Some of the Rugby on display from the girls however, provided enough heat to warm up the spectating touchline. A real testament to the coaching team and the progress the ladies have made over the last few months.
A rematch against Bury Ladies was the game at hand, following the Warriors’ debut game back in November. The Bury girls were the more experienced side of the two heading into the game; and ultimately, this experience proved to be the deciding factor between the two sides.
Bury kicked the game off and from receiving the first kick off, the Warriors were under the pump during the initial stages of the game. After unfortunately losing Lisa within the first minute to what seems to be a bad ankle injury; the ladies were put through the phases during sustained Bury attack. Nevertheless the ladies shown excellent work rate and courage in defence. There was some great scramble, body on the line type defence shown here, with some big try saving hits coming in from Sam and Amy on strong Bury runners. Unfortunately, the Warriors got caught defending a little bit too narrow, with Bury exploiting the space and scoring out wide with a neat offload out of the tackle.
Following the restart, a great kick off by Sam (she was superb out of hand all day) forced Bury well into their own half to build any sort of attack. Bury’s experience slowly began to take a hold of the game as not for the last time in the game, they exploited the blindside and ran in their 2nd try. Perhaps this was due to Warrior’s still learning the game, or the lack of numbers on the pitch meaning there was no blindside coverage.
The old adage goes that a team is at their most weakest when they have just scored; with the Warriors fully proving testament to this. After turning possession over, the Warriors began to build their phases. Hannah Cheyne, who led the Warriors superbly, receives the ball at 10, takes it nice and flat to the line, sucking in Bury’s 10 and 12 and pops to Sam hitting a belter of a line to cut through Bury’s defence. Sam runs in, untouched for the Warriors’ first try of the day. Demonstrating her football skills, Sam knocked the conversion over with ease.
After early Bury dominance, the Warriors are now right in the game. After deciding nothing is on for her team, the Bury stand off kicks deep into the Warriors half forcing Sam covering 12 and 15, to scamper back and collect the ball. From 60 metres out, she puts the pedal down and out paces the Bury defence to score her second try of the game and in as many minutes. Quality, individual effort from Sam. Conversion made.
As the game progressed, the Warriors lack of game experience showed, in particular the breakdown area and driving mauls. A few loose balls out of the breakdown and blindside breaks gave Bury four tries amidst some stellar Anselmian defence. New girls Grace and Inge were both making their presence felt in their debut games for the team with some big hits. Kate was covering what seemed every blade of grass the pitch had with her defensive efforts. Michelle was busy both in attack and in defence, tidying up the loose balls and claiming restarts well. I mean this in the nicest way but Amy was like an absolute dog on Sunday. She was hitting everyone and everything. A great sign of a promising back rower!
We must praise Bury for their tries scored here. The Bury girls were good, strong powerful runners and provided a real test for our girls all afternoon. In particular their 13 ( Justine) 12 (Claire) 9 (roisin) and 2 (Lizzy) were prominent in the loose with their carries.
Anselmians were however proving more than a handful in attack for the Bury girls, demonstrating how much they have come on since their last meeting with Bury. Lyn and Jenny were getting their hands on the ball more and more and making yards every time with their jinking runs.
Some good individual tries from Bury’s 12 (Claire) and 13 (Justine), who were proving to be a handful all day; would have sunk the spirits of most teams. But the Warriors just kept dogging and scrapping it out with Bury. Despite the scoreline getting away from the Warriors, they showed their great team spirit they have created down at Malone Field.
A scrum just inside the Bury half to the Warriors saw Jenny dummy to go open and then snipe blind to out pace her opposite number, and get the Warriors’ 3rd try of the day. A classic example of great scrum half play.
With the try now rejuvenating the Warriors’ attack, it was Bury’s turn to be put under the pump and tested in defence. Lucy, who is constantly developing week in and week out was carrying strongly. Newbie Trudy was also getting stuck in on her first game of rugby and looked like she had been playing the game for years.
As the Warriors were building the phases and inching closer to their 4th try of the game; Sam makes a break blind and steps back inside to go over for the try. Unfortunately for Sam, she stepped right into the Bury 13’s shoulder and received a crunching hit and biggest of the game, to stop a certain try. Despite the big hit, Sam remained calm and recycled the ball to the back of the ruck. After counting all her ribs, she dusted herself down and got back up to continue playing. A true warrior!
Following a scrum to Bury, the 13 fresh from her tackle, hit a pearler of a line to break through the middle and run in a great try from her own 22. Some of the tries scored from both teams were a great example of women’s rugby.
It now seemed Bury had found their kicking boots after early conversions missed, they couldn’t stop slotting their kicks now.
Not to be outdone or disheartened, the Anselmian Warriors went coast to coast for their next try. Sam kicked deep and was backed up by Hannah Wood and Lyn in leading the Anselmian chase. After forcing a poor and rush kick from Bury, resulting in turning possession over to the Warriors; some great interplay from Hannah and Lyn, saw Lyn race over for Anselmians’ fourth try in the corner. The try was well deserved from Lyn, who was fantastic all day. Hannah showed her experience in the game for the try, drawing in the Bury defence and popping to Lyn. Sam provided the extras and slotted the kick off the inside of the post.
During the final stages of the game, the touchline seen a few more Bury tries, highlighting more of what the girls need to work on. Tight forward play and the defensive line.
However I’m positive that this will come. Nobody could fault the girls for their lack of game awareness, they are still a developmental side. They showed great commitment and heart to stay fighting within the game, to which I’m sure the coaches will take real positives from. Game knowledge will come, but you can’t teach somebody to get up off the floor when they are absolutely blowing, or put their body on the line for their mates. The Warriors demonstrated that they have this in abundance. If they can become the best they can at the part of the game that requires no talent, all the flashy stuff will come.
A massive thank you to the Bury girls, who were once again fantastic. Great rugby players, strong runners and even better girls. It was really positive to see them encouraging the Anselmian girls during the game, a real credit to their club. Hopefully the two sides can meet again soon.
A massive thank you to the Ref, who was fair to both teams and allowed the game to played with a great flow to it. Recognising the two teams are still developmental side, he allowed a continuous game for both sides.
Final score 67-26 to Bury