Reading Abbey Women vs Grove Ladies

Reading Abbey Women vs Grove Ladies
11th February 2024
1400 Kick-off.

Grove kick to start the game, RA return into a big tackle by Molly and Ella.
RA ship wide and Laura makes strong tackle. Laura back to feet immediately makes second tackle. RA build momentum but is ended by Molly. RA builds phases again, ship wide and score. Conversion missed.

Nez restarts. RA catch running sideways. Molly hunts the RA player and makes the tackle. Pressure from Grove defence causes RA to knock on. Heather recovers ball but whistle has blown.

First scrum brought back to Grove. Uncontested but hook still good. Scrappy ball but Laura recovers and offloads to Heather. Strong run but RA pressure results in knock-on.

RA ship ball to mid field and is met by Laura whose pressure forces RA to fumble.
Grove brings ball back through the scrum – Molly gives to Gemma who takes in to contact and gives clean offload to Charde. Charde makes grounds and pops to Laura – storming run, breaking through defenders, and offloads to Dora. Very effective cover tackling from RA forces ball into touch.

RA opt for the short line-out and make metres, but Molly brings it to a stop.

Grove feed scrum and send along the back line but pressure from RA results in another scrum. RA put-in and ship wide. Laura puts the pressure on their midfield again. Try saving tackle by Molly, Heather, and Dora. Dora drops back quickly and wins interception, but RA are quick to react to defence and are awarded a penalty. RA kick for touch, again sending the ball on the short line, this time stopped by Magda.
RA ship wide again and nearly break through, but Charde and Laura stand strong and keep them out. RA reverses and breaks through middle to score.

Kick-off gives RA space, but Nic and Molly shut it down quickly.

Nic off for injury. Camilla on.

Molly continues the defensive effort alongside massive pressure from Laura and Magda resulting in RA fumble. Dora picks up and runs 35m. After some phases RA win back and start to make ground with good tackling from Molly but RA offload well to score.

2nd Quarter
Good chasing by Ella puts RA under pressure on kick off, forcing the knock-on. Ball is recovered by RA after the scrum, but Laura quickly tackles and stops the build-up.

Gemma off. Chloe in. Nez moves to 10.

Grove scrum. Heather moves to no. 8 providing control at the back – Molly picks and gives to Laura who makes good ground, but RA awarded penalty. RA manage to catch their own penalty kick and score.

Continuing the strong defensive effort, Molly and Camilla hold RA back. Grove turns over and deep in their half Charde kicks for clearance with Dora chasing well. RA fumble and Molly picks up, sending it wide but RA pressure results in turnover and RA score. RA catch kick-off and go for big run out wide. Huge cover tackle from Molly stops RA. RA keep pushing but Dora, Molly, and Camilla keep them at bay. Chloe forces RA to fumble but penalty given to RA for offside and they build up to score.

Molly chases kick off and tackles RA receiver. RA ship and double tackle from Dora and Lizzie halt them – then, Molly again. Charde defends the midfield alongside Camilla. Grove defence building and looking very strong but RA offloads well and manage to score.

Half time
Laura off. Nic on.

3rd Quarter
RA turnover from kick off and sends heavy runners through middle. Ally pushes hard to slow them down but RA are well drilled, and their support runners capitalise.

Grove restart and Molly shuts down the receiver again. Charde nearly steals and Grove pressure results in RA knock on. Molly runs blind off scrum with Dora in support and makes metres.

Molly injured but Grove has no substitutes remaining so RA volunteer a player who fills in at 9.

Strong defence from Camilla and Dora but RA spill over the line. Molly returns to the pitch and makes a good run from the back of the scrum but RA turnover and return the run. Camilla holds them back in the midfield, but RA again overwhelm and score.

Grove continued their valiant display in defence, but RA proved to be a very well-drilled and experienced team preventing Grove from building up their momentum.

The game concludes early after the 3rd quarter. A tough score but many positives from this game and some fantastic moments from all players.