West Warriors 14 – 22 Mellish Ladies
Both sides fielded a full team sheet, with the game competitive from the off – Mellish’s heavier forward pack immediately challenged West at the breakdown with forceful counter-rucking and forced a number of handling errors from West. Mellish exploited that slight advantage and ran in a handful of tries through a combination of ball carrying through the centre and popping the ball out to the wing to score.
Half-time saw West gather their focus and come out with a determined mindset, led by experienced West scrum half and Back of the Match Amber Wadlow who slowed the pace of the game and enabled West to dominate Mellish, culminating in her own superb try which was then slotted over with an outstanding kick from Zoe Sharp.
West continued to put Mellish under constant pressure, with a notable break from Forward of the Match Cora Hunter, supported by newly energised backs. Kayleigh Ross made her debut for West and immediately showed why she was fielded, putting in hard tackles and great catches. West’s forward pack were formidable, making tackles and running an offloading game that saw Fly Half Sarah Hodge breaking free and grounding a superb try under the posts, converted by Tiffany Turner.
After a yellow card for Mellish and with the ferocity of the game increasing, West ran out of time on the clock and were unable to execute what was a textbook game plan for the second half.
West take to the road again on December 3rd 2023, headed to Kesteven.
Forward of the Match – Cora Hunter
Back of the Match – Amber Wadlow
Photography Credit – Ed Navrady
