MATCH REPORT: WOMEN*S BLUES VS SWANSEA
- Marged Williams
- Nov 14
- 3 min read
[Written by Izzy Hedges, Mansfield College]
After a tough battle against Hartpury 2s last week, the Women*s Blues returned to Iffley road with energy, resilience and physicality, ready to take on Swansea. There was an electric atmosphere both on and off the pitch with the Blues dominating Swansea and coming away with a 45 – 0 win.
The match began with intensity seen in the dominant tackles sending Swansea back into their own half. A dropped ball by Swansea was quickly picked up by Lilla Berry leading to strong carries from the forwards heading in towards the posts. The ball was then shipped out to the backs leading to Lilla stepping various Swansea players, scoring a try in the first 5 minutes of the game! An unsuccessful conversion put the score at 5-0.
The first half continued with a determined mindset with hooker Sophie Goodman pushing through players. The ball made its way to Poppy Burrows who scored our second try of the match by dodging tackles with her lightning speed. With the conversion from Chloe- Marie Hawley, the score was at 12-0.
The vigour the Blues brought to the game forced Swansea under pressure having to kick the ball out of their own half. Chloe took a clean catch and stormed up the pitch. Izzy Hedges fought to make ground towards the post which enabled the ball to be shifted out wide to the backs, resulting in Poppy diving for the try line, scoring her second of the match and third of the game. This brought the score to 19-0 with another conversion from Chloe.
Returning from half-time, the forwards continued to battle hard in the lineouts, setting a maul which drew the Swansea players and allowed the backs to run a clear move. Lucy Hamer ran with pure intent, outpacing 3 Swansea players pushing the score to 4 tries and yet again, with the successful conversion by Chloe the scoreboard read 26-0.
Another successful lineout and fake maul led to a clever dummy by Sophie Shams and a powerful carry by Charlie Luxford Vaughan. The ball was then passed smoothly through the hands to Lilla who ran rapidly to the try line scoring our fifth try of the match. An unsuccessful conversion took the score to 31-0.
The speed of the Blues was felt throughout the game and helped to produce our seventh try as Chloe stepped Swansea players, dashing through to our try line. She successfully converted her own try, increasing the score to 38-0.
Our final try of the game was certainly a testimony to the teamwork the Blues proudly play with. It began with Swansea’s lineout in our 22, yet Liv Rosin fought in the air winning the ball for the blues. Naomi carried strong and hard allowing time for the blues to reset. With a great kick from scrum-half Izzy Lundenberg, Chloe skilfully picked up the ball and dashed towards our try line. Emma Jones running on Chloe’s shoulder, successfully took the ball scoring the final try for the Women*s Blues this Wednesday. With Chloe’s conversion the final score was 45-0.
Unfortunately, due to Swansea’s limited players and numerous injuries, the game was cut short at 75 minutes. The Women*s Blues showed their determination, grit and intensity throughout this game leaving them in a great place to battle against Brunel 2s next week.
Trylights available here: https://youtu.be/yHznaKv75OM?si=2GEi1BmBsSrnGm-z
Match photos by Steve Karpa available here:
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