Shelford Ladies Chalk Up Another Win

Shelford Ladies 15 - Moseley 14

On a typically cold rugby day Shelford Ladies set out for their first game of 2012, hoping to continue winning after their last game and win against Cambridge Select. Shelford’s first opponents of 2012 were Moseley, who narrowly beat Sehflord in October by a mere two points and as such Shelford had something to prove. With one coach the other side of the world, Clem had returned to the fold and Fluffy Hutchinson once again stepped up to the mark, this time as the backs coach.
Shelford made a good attacking start but an unfortunate handling error let the Moseley speedster score under the post with the try being converted. Shelford looked to get back into the game with good work from the forward pack and make shift winger Nicola Conquest which showed Shelford’s intentions of not giving up.
A ding dong between the forwards meant that Shelford spent a lot of time defending, however scrum half Charlie managed a try out wide, which unfortunately Shelford were unable to convert. Shelford quickly rallied again with a further try by winger Kidders, her first ever, but again unconverted. Then swiftly before half time a further five points were added by Foodie, resulting in a winding which she promptly recovered from.

Score 15-7 at half time.

Following half time Moseley rallied and ten minutes in again scored between the posts and following some injury time for a Shelford player in the line of fire for the conversion, converted leaving the score 15-14 in Shelfords favour.
With a point in it, Shelford spent some time in their own twenty two, followed by second row Tebbit having to leave the pitch with suspected broken ribs, who now would give the rousing encouragement to the forwards that they had known to love?! Catherine came on energised despite standing in the cold for far too long and made an impact straight away.
Shelfords defending stood up to the mark, but sloppy errors meant too many unforced penalties in Moseleys favour with Shelford pushed back and having to defend hard. Injury then struck Shelford again, this time in the front row.
Shelford continued to defend hard making their way into Moseleys twenty two. With first aid required 2 minutes to the end the Shelford ladies were being fired up by their supporters and continued to battle on. A knock to the head for Foodie led to Shelford learning they only had to kick the ball into touch to win, little did they realise how close it was and how nerve wracking it had been to watch from the sidelines.

Team: Claire Mills, Hannah Wardle, Daniele Gibney, Helen Tebit, Lara Chuter, Hannah Aspden, Bertielle Gleize, Elisa Davies, Charlie Mclaughlin, Lynne Pilbeam, Rebecca Kidby, Katy Craddock, Steph Foode, Nicola Conquest, Laura Snowdon. Subs: Catherine Hart (used) Adrienne Gaudie (used).

Forward of the match Hannah Aspden
Back of the match Rebecca Kidby