By Frank Stormont
January 30 2007

Ladies stop one short of half century as the Barracudas run 9 tries to none.  

Plymouth Barracudas 49
Exeter Saracens 0

For the second week running Plymouth ladies collect a win against Saracens. Last week the ladies 1st team took on London based Saracens in Premiership II and came away with a win in the last kick of the match. This week the development side take on Exeter Saracens and run in 9 tries.

A game that was never in any doubt Albion took control of the match and Babs scored her first try in a rugby shirt in the first 5 minutes, she went of to score her second in the second half with Kim Davey picking up a hat trick.

With kicking duties shared around the team Sonia Clatworthy and Sam Bunyan pick up a conversion each. The final conversion attempt and final kick of the match was saved for captain for the day Jo Holden.

Exeter team bus got lost on the long trip and arrived minutes before the planned kick off time which was moved to allow them time to get changed and warm up. It had already been decided to play 13 aside dropping the flankers due availability of Exeter players.

Albion taking the ball to Exeter early on gave Barbara Jensen  her chance to score her first try in the 5th minute of the match. 

12 minutes into the match Kim Davey was on the run and scored on the right. The conversion attempt was given to Sonia Clatworthy after the ball hit the post and the ground on the touch line.

Albion next got the ball across the try line 24 minutes into the half after several ruck moves but was judged to have been held up and a 5 metre scrum was awarded. After several attempts at a scum and infringements the referee finally awarded a free kick which Rachel Chidgey picked up an ran for the line with Exeter offside she had a free ball and forced her way over the line for the third try of the match. (17 - 0)

After discussions among the Exeter side and also between the ref and Albion coach a decision was made to go uncontested.  Vee Thompson was then substituted for their tight head to return to normal rules.

In the final play of the half Sonia picks up on a loose ball kicking it three times before the ball went over the touch line but quick thinking allowed Exeter to touch the ball down and the final whistle of the half.

Albion went into the turn around 17 points up and came out with even more determination in the second half.

Kim Davey was passed the ball from the back of the scrum to run 25 - 30 metres to score her second of the match just to the right of the posts. 22 - 0 

With an Exeter throw in not straight, 15 metres out on the right hand side, Albion had the advantage and used it as they picked the ball up and passing wide to the left with Barbara on the end of the move and making it to the corner for her second try. 27 - 0

The Exeter restart did not make 10 metres but Jo Holden collected the ball at pace making progress before passing out to Megan Higgins to finish off the 60 metre attack by scoring on the right. 32 - 0.

A long stoppage for an Exeter player with a neck/shoulder injury gave Melanie Box the opportunity to have some match time as she played for Exeter. By this time the spirit seemed to have gone out of the Exeter team and from the restart after injury Sonia Clatworthy was given the ball 40 metres out and ran to score under the posts and pick up the try that she had just missed at the end of the first half. With Sam Bunyan taking a drop kick at goal for the conversion Albion go to 39 - 0.

The 8th try came after the ball was passed left to Barbara before being passed back to the centre and replacement Anna Shepard taking the ball over under the posts. 44 - 0

The final try and third for Kim came after a scrum and was scored under the posts, Jo Holden was given the privilege of the final attempt at a conversion.

Tristan Forster said afterwards he was pleased with the performance and it was good to see some players that have had little or no premiership match time working hard.

Albion now have a week off before they travel to Redruth on the 11th February and although it is billed as a friendly match it will be a tough match and Albion will be treating it as a Premiership match in preparation for the the home match against OAs on the 18th.

 

Team: Kim Davey, Verity Waters, Claire Crowther, Sarah Parkin, Barbara Jensen, Sonia Clatworthy, Rachel Chidgey, Danni Briggs, Jo Holden, Helen Duffin, Megan Higgins, Camilla Smallwood , Jo Richards Replacements: Sam Bunyan(used), Rachel Tucker(used), Anna Shepard(used)

Scorers :- Tries Anna Shepard, 2x Barbara Jensen, 3x Kim Davey, Megan Higgins, Rachel Chidgey, Sonia Clatworthy Conversions Sam Bunyan Sonia Clatworthy