Stamford Women’s Rugby defeat Mellish Ladies from Nottinghamshire
A charge down try scored by captain Gemma Alcoran after just 90 seconds of the game set the tone of the match when Stamford Women travelled to Nottinghamshire to take on Mellish Ladies.
Stamford quickly doubled their score when Liberty Ashdown went over after jinking her way through the defence and placing the ball over the line.
Mellish then pulled back points after being awarded a penalty try for an off-the-ball tackle on their attacking player before, three minutes later, the powerful Brogan Cranfield burst through the home defence from about 10 metres out and placed the ball over the line. Ashdown easily slotted the conversion through the posts.
Stamford dominated the first half with fine performances from the pack in general and in particular Immy Isaacs and Eloise Westgate.
The first half scoring was completed by Nikki Hudson running one of her trademark robust runs from 10 metres out, swatting defenders off like flies before slamming the ball down over the line to make the half-time score 22-7 to the visitors.
Mellish started the second half off sprightly by scoring a quick try which seemed to push Stamford up a gear and prompted them to continuously pressurise the Mellish defence time after time.
This pressure paid off with further tries from Jess Gargan, a brace from Emily Russell and a final try from the redoubtable Hudson.
With a further three conversions from Ashdown, the score finished at 50-17 to the victorious Stamford Women.
This game was undoubtably Stamford’s finest match so far this season with all-round performances from each of the 19 players used on the day.
Stamford now have a weekend off before tough matches against Kesteven in the league and then Bedford Blues Women in the second round of the RFU Papa Johns Cup.
Stamford's men's first team return to Counties 1 Midlands (East) South action on Saturday after a bye weekend with a trip to Spalding.
Bourne host Old Laurentians at Milking Nook Drove while Oakham travel to face Stockwood Park.
