Henley Hawks Women - Match Reports
Nuneaton 10’sAn interesting start to the day as the aftermath of Chav’s 21st birthday bash kicked in. Eventually a mixed barbarian-esc Henley team turned up with 9 players. Still this didn’t seem to stop them from beating Coventry ladies 12-0 in the first game. Some great work by the forwards saw an oppositions ruck turn into a Henley score as the ball was kicked out by Henley to there back line and Louise Gray picked and went over the line on the blindside. It was quite a close game but Henley never looked liked they would lose but went into the second half knowing they should score at least one more try. This eventually came from a scrum down as Chav Jnr (playing 9) picked up the ball from the back and delivered a flat pass to Lou who in turn broke through a tackle to then pass to Nibble who with some work left to do left the oppositions backline for dead. (Not bad considering she shouldn’t really of driven in the morning). I think a big mention should also go to Mel as she dumped tackled the number 12 into next year (the crowd got awfully excited by it).
The second game was a lot harder and Henley seemed to be on hangover mode too much but they managed to maintain a 0-0 draw against the touring side from Bournemouth, Oakmeadians. Both teams seemed to be competing for the biggest hangover. A lot of good defensive tackling was displayed and in the last few seconds of the game Henley looked on to score but were put into touch. Both teams knew they were likely to be playing each other in the final.
Due too many injuries Coventry ladies had to drop out so Oakmeadians received a bye into the final and Henley were offered to play there 3rd match as the semi-final which they accepted. It was against the home team Nuneaton Ladies.
Nuneaton Ladies 0 – 19 Henley ladies. Obviously Henley won this game, they picked up and went on the offensive. Some brilliant scrums and the best rucking I have seen all year gave Henley the dominance they needed to win. With so much pressure being applied the first try came from Lou who intercepted a pass and didn’t have far to go to score. The next try followed quite quickly and this was a great forwards moment. The forwards such as Sarah (Chesham), Pip, Mel and Sal (Cheltenham) were on a roll, and set-up there new second row Fraggle for a sweet try, to mark her first for Henley. She was passed the ball and with her pace outstripped the final defender to put the ball down in the corner. Then came a ten minute stoppage due to a ankle injury for one of Nuneaton’s players. A quick pitch change immediately after the guys had finished their semi –final and the ref restarted from the second half. The girls didn’t take long to finish the home-side off and it came from Nibble. Similar to the first try the whole team worked together and managed to release her and she ran in to score her second of the tournament.
The final came only 40 minutes after the game and the girls were on their final legs and with Oakmeadians having a bye and plenty of time off there was really only going to be one result. In fact I don’t even remember the score 22-0 roughly. The girls gave it there all but some good defending on Oakmeadians part saw them holt any Henley progress. Another superb dump tackle and some fantastic chase-backs were the best highlights of this game.
Not bad for Henley’s first tournament of the Summer and some good experience for the next 7 to come. I think the team enjoyed the experience and Kayla was happy to claim her second trophy for coming second at Nuneaton again. Best wishes to her as she travels off to the South of France to teach sailing – lucky cow!!! Anyway thanks for everyone who played it was great to have you there and great to do so well! Also thanks to the people we borrowed Cookie (Nuneaton), Tinsel (Oakmeadians) and one other….
The Henley team will be looking to do better at next weeks tournament at Church 7’s.
Team: Mel (cpt), Pip, Sarah (Chesham), Fraggle (now Henley), Sal (Cheltenham), Chav Jnr, Lou, Nibble and Kayla.
Tries: Fraggle (1), Nibble (2) and Lou (2)
Cons: Lou 3/5
Pens: 0
Henley Hawks Women 10 v Richmond 17
Sunday 7th December
A very disappointing start cost Henley this game. Conceding 2 tries in the
opening minutes of the game as Henley were running off the champagne from
the Star Ball the night before, they then regrouped and got straight back
in the game, scoring a try, conversion and penalty to be within two points.
Sadly fullback Martina Ashton was injured with a broken ankle in the last few minutes of the game causing a reshuffle which was when Richmond scored to seal their victory.
Our best wishes go out to Martina and we all wish her a happy retirement and speedy recovery - you will be sorely missed, not only for your tourets but your massive commitment on the pitch!!
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Henley Hawks Women 3 v Bath Rugby Ladies 32
Sun Nov 30
The Big Names come thick and fast in this league and on Sunday it was the turn of top of the table outfit Bath to visit Dry Leas. Bath scored 15 of their points at the death to produce a harsh, final scoreline. At only 14 – 3 down midway through the 2nd half, Henley were camped on the Bath line for 15 minutes or so, but the try wouldn’t come.
Henley Hawks Women 10 Saracens II's Women 7
Sunday Nov 9th
Forward's player - Turtle
Back's player - Yellie
Coach's player - Lou
After the disappointment of last weekend’s away defeat to fellow strugglers Hove, there was real fear that Henley’s season was becoming doomed to a successive relegation away from the top flight of Women’s rugby.
But not a bit of it, the girls brainstormed their situation midweek, went out and found a new coach, Steve Dixon and then comprehensively outplayed Saracens with a stunning reversal of form.
A try in each half, the first from fly half Yellie Powley who produced a forceful run to the line from 10 yards out and the second from centre Lou Gray controlling a loose ball with deft footwork, was too good for Sarries who went over just before half time after a rare period of pressure in the Henley 22.
Clearly boosted by Dixon’s appointment, each player in this team turned in a superb performance and offered renewed hope that they can retain their position in Championship 1 South. The elation at the final whistle was great to see.
Match report by Mike Kann
Henley Hawks Women 0 v Southampton Trojans Ladies 29
Sun
Oct 26th
Four matches gone in this eight team league and Henley are still searching
for their first win.Trojans possessed individual pace that Henley could not
match and scored five tries at regular intervals.
Trojans opening try came from an interception midway through the first half
with the home team pressing. Possibly the final scoreline would have been
closer without that happening.
Only one team is relegated from this Level 2 of Women’s rugby and in
the words of Henley’s stand out fly half Lou Gray 'it ain’t
gonna be us‘!
Next up, next Sunday it’s Hove Ladies away. Only a quarter of the season
gone but already this match looks crucial. Hove and Henley are locked together
at the foot of the table.
OA Saints 51 v Henley Hawks Women 10
Sun Oct 12th
Travel problems left Henley one short for the entire match and two short
for most of the second half as there was no cover for an injured player.
Even with a full team Henley would have been hard pressed to contain OA’s
impressive back line who did full credit to Albanian’s superb facilities.
Henley
Hawks Women 5 Richmond Women II's 17
Sun Oct 5th
The rain stopped in time to allow this game to be played in reasonably good
conditions at Dry Leas on Sunday. Richmond always had the edge in territory
but it was not until approaching half time that Henley conceded five points
to a kick and chase.
The second half saw Richmond go over near the posts from a rolling maul before
Henley struck back with a try wide out from Carly Dudding who forced her
way over after fine work by Laura Mitchison.
Bath Rugby Ladies 41 v Henley Hawks Women 7
Sun Sept 21st
This match was always going to be a formidable challenge for Henley against
a side that had almost forgotten how to lose as they make their inexorable
climb to the Premiership, with just one league to go.
Played at Bath Rugby’s training ground at Lambridge, just out of the
city, it was a gorgeous afternoon for the Henley girls to start their Championship
1 South campaign.
Henley were outgunned in most departments but stayed competitive throughout
the match and this was no walkover.They had to overcome the news beforehand
that their talismanic England prop Rocky Clarke had accepted a professional
offer from Blaydon,yet ironically the set srummage and close quarter mauling
was an area where Henley had the edge.
Rocky’s penetration near the line and in broken play was missed however
and highlighted when the home side brought on their England Captain Catherine
Spencer at No 8.
Henley’s spirit was great to see and some of the individual touches
from full back Martina Ashton continually caught the eye. Henley’s
try was scored by centre Zoe Farrell who tore through midway in the first
half after a clean break by fly half Louise Gray.
