BackSun 23 Feb 2025 ·  Women's NC 1 South East (South)
Heathfield & W Ladies
Valley Roses
10
12
** Roses vs Heathfield & Waldron Ladies Match Report 23/02**
Craig Bertram25 Feb - 13:38
*Dartford Roses 12 - 10 Heathfields & Waldron Ladies*
DV Ladies travelled to East Sussex for a well anticipated top of the table clash against Heathfield & Waldron.
Both teams started with the desire and the determination to disrupt the others attack on a pitch that did not lend itself to a running game.
The conditions would mean that try opportunities would be few a far between. Valley dug deep and started to work their way up the pitch into the opposing 22 with some amazing link play between their forwards and their backs. A hard carry by Bex Goodwin sent the Heathfield pack backwards, allowing back row players Bethany Marsh and Caitlyn Gold to combine for Gold to force her way over the whitewash. Lauren Hunt then converted the extras.
A determined Heathfield team fought back making their way up the pitch through hard carries and into the Valley 22. Quick distribution by their 9 meant they took full advantage of an overlap out wide to score 5 points, putting the score at 5 - 7 at the half time whistle.
The second half was all to play for and continued with both sides making brutal tackles. A mistake in their own 22 cost Valley vital territory which resulted in Heathfield taking full advantage to power over for a 10-7 lead.
Knowing they had to dig deep, Valley increased the intensity of their play and once again forced their way down the pitch. A quick pass to Bex Goodwin from Katie Dootson on the 5m line, saw her power over to take the score to 12-10.
With 8 minutes to go Heathfield were relentless with their attack offering both home and away spectators heart stopping entertainment, but Valley stood strong with tackle after tackle, and continually putting their bodies on the line. This resulted in courageous defence getting the bodies under the ball to hold up play over the line just before the final whistle.
Back and forward of the match went to Amelie Clarke and Ashleigh Bacon for their dogged defence and amazing tackles.
As always, a massive thank you to all the supporters who travelled the distance to cheer us on. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Both teams started with the desire and the determination to disrupt the others attack on a pitch that did not lend itself to a running game.
The conditions would mean that try opportunities would be few a far between. Valley dug deep and started to work their way up the pitch into the opposing 22 with some amazing link play between their forwards and their backs. A hard carry by Bex Goodwin sent the Heathfield pack backwards, allowing back row players Bethany Marsh and Caitlyn Gold to combine for Gold to force her way over the whitewash. Lauren Hunt then converted the extras.
A determined Heathfield team fought back making their way up the pitch through hard carries and into the Valley 22. Quick distribution by their 9 meant they took full advantage of an overlap out wide to score 5 points, putting the score at 5 - 7 at the half time whistle.
The second half was all to play for and continued with both sides making brutal tackles. A mistake in their own 22 cost Valley vital territory which resulted in Heathfield taking full advantage to power over for a 10-7 lead.
Knowing they had to dig deep, Valley increased the intensity of their play and once again forced their way down the pitch. A quick pass to Bex Goodwin from Katie Dootson on the 5m line, saw her power over to take the score to 12-10.
With 8 minutes to go Heathfield were relentless with their attack offering both home and away spectators heart stopping entertainment, but Valley stood strong with tackle after tackle, and continually putting their bodies on the line. This resulted in courageous defence getting the bodies under the ball to hold up play over the line just before the final whistle.
Back and forward of the match went to Amelie Clarke and Ashleigh Bacon for their dogged defence and amazing tackles.
As always, a massive thank you to all the supporters who travelled the distance to cheer us on. We couldn’t have done it without you.
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