Led by the determined Victoria Kerr, Old Leamingtonians RFC Ladies sought to win their first game of the league campaign. Sadly, this was not to be that day in what was definitely a game of two halves.
The first half showed that OL’s can play the sort of rugby they want to play. Against a strong Olney team they snuffed out the Northamptonshire sides scoring opportunities. Following some new additions to the team and a few strategic line up changes to try and challenge the ball being spun out wide by the opposition OLs Ladies worked hard and showed they play as a team. Kerr, in the unfamiliar role of open side wing forward, led by example and made and mincemeat of several Olney players with some typically thumping tackles. With new addition Natalie Tilsley at stand off, the backs also maintained a tight defence. Sadly OL’s struggled to make the most of the possession they had, Janine McComiskey and Charlotte Hewer making ground through the middle on a number of occasions and at least twenty minutes was spent camped out in the Olney 22, sadly to no avail. Unfortunately, it was that final pass that let the team down; a knock on, a pass over the head or falling short. But these are things that can and will be corrected as the season progresses.
The second half started with the first halves nil-nil score line but soon evolved into a completely different story. Olney regrouped and began an assault on the OL’s try line. Having defended well in the first half to prevent the Olney 12 from getting near the ball, gaps appeared in the OLs line. Olney put on a good display of making the most of the scoring opportunities that come your way. Clinical finishing and better protection of the ball on the ground and in contact was perhaps the main differences between these sides.Disappointed by the loss OLs have to take the positive from the first half and work on the finishing element of their dynamic play to make the hard work pay off and put points on the board.
Two new players made their debut, Canadian Melissa and converted footballer Victoria Lewis earning their gold and blue stripes.
- Forward of the Match went to Vicky Kerr
- Back of the Match went to Natalie Tilsley