Driffield Ladies 17 – 12 Sefton Ladies : Sunday, 15 September 2024

First league game results in a win for the Woldswomen !

The team welcomed Championship 2 stalwarts Sefton, who finished in second place last season.

The Woldswomen were expecting a tough and physical battle, having lost both home and away to the side last season, and Sefton did not disappoint.

With heavy drizzle set in for the afternoon, conditions tested the handling skills on both sides resulting in plenty of scrums, a Driffield speciality.  Playing to their strengths, the team battled hard with the whole team grafting.

After a gritty show of determination with forwards taking responsibility from a penalty in the 22 on ten minutes, Georgia Lane found a way over the line for her opening try of the season, converted by Ellie Harding.  D 7 – 0 S

In her league game debut with the Woldswomen, Micha Newman crossed the whitewash on 27 minutes to score, rewarding the home side for their patience and pressure-building through phases.  D 12 – 0 S

The battle continued with Sefton fighting back.  Thumping tackles were made by Mel Halstead covering the back field in the full-back position, tackling anything that came close to threatening the home side try line.

Defensively, the home side worked hard to get in position, with newcomer Charlie Goode setting the standard and Mel Freeman leading the line, making tackles and attempting ball steals at every opportunity.  Sefton fought hard and secured a hard-worked try out wide with five left in the half, converted.  D 12 – 7 S

Sophie Mawer was welcomed off the bench and into a blue black and white shirt for the first time, making some excellent tackles and dominant carries.  Newcomer Hannah Swales, who impressed throughout pre-season, continues to show great promise on the wing, making breaks and tackling hard.

Driffield responded soon after with an Ellie Harding try, wide left.  Finding herself with space, she danced her way to the line, fighting off several defenders and crossing the line for a try of her own.around the outside of the defence.  Conversion missed.  D 17 – 7 S  HT

Georgia Lane and Tippi Wadsworth worked in unison to create offloading opportunities and, despite the conditions, set a great example of support play for the whole team.  Centres Maddy Dale and Ellie Harding battled hard to retain the ball and make yards, directed well by Emily Dean in the 10 shirt.

Sefton gathered momentum towards the end of the second half, exploiting the Driffield defence and securing a try wide left. Undetterred, the home side fought back, finding Harding

The conditions continued to wreak havoc on the pitch, with both sides grappling to get a handle on the game.  Many knock-ons and scrums culminated with Sefton punching a hole in the defence and scoring the final try of the game with just three minutes to go, bringing the final score to 17-12.

MVP awards saw Harding and Swales jointly nominated as Players’ Player, with Charlie Goode recognised by the coaches as their Pick of the Day.  The Opposition’s pick went to Ellie Harding, making breaks and massive tackles all over the park.

The Woldswomen travel to Kendal next Sunday 22nd.

There are still tables available for our sponsorship lunch on Saturday, 5th October.  Please contact the rugby club direct to book a place.