After a heavy local derby defeat to Henley Hawks Women last week, Abbey Women responded in style with a scintillating six-try bonus-point performance over Blackheath Women to record their first win of the season.
Four tries from the ever-impressive Alice Denton-Rice capped off a cohesive team performance, which celebrated skipper Annabel Hawkins’s club honours match in her 60th league game.
Control of the game exchanged hands in the opening quarter multiple times, with Blackheath responding after Alice Denton-Rice’s opening try with two quick scores from their hooker and captain, Alex Zdunek.
It was scrum half Ellie Denton-Rice who brought the next score, with a quick-witted dummy after a superb break from centre Clara Reynolds, she crossed the line for a try that was the highlight of the afternoon. With both scores converted, Abbey were back in the lead and in the driving seat.
But not for long. Blackheath responded well by taking advantage of a momentary lapse in defensive concentration from Abbey, and worked the ball wide with their dynamic centres making good line breaks own the pitch. Despite good scramble defence from Lou Pullan and Jazzy Hooper, it was Jackie Osono who crossed for Blackheath’s third and final score of the day.
Regrouping, the home side now started to gain some confidence and momentum. Abbey’s dominant scrum came to the fore once again, with last season’s powerful front row combination of Gale, Stevens and Potter turning over crucial ball.
The back row of Barker, Hawkins and Fowler led from the front by way of tackles, while Kiff and Turnell Willett were everywhere on the park. It was when Potter won an important jackal penalty that the stage was set for the home side’s third try.
Good distribution from the resulting scrum from fly-half Hannah Skeels found Alice Denton-Rice once more and a third converted try sent the home team into the lead at half-time.
The second half started in much the same vein, with Abbey’s dominance of the game continuing. It was now Abbey’s back three who started to work their way into game. Fullback Pullan had had an outstanding first half, relieving pressure with several well-placed kicks, including one she chased herself and thumped the Blackheath winger into touch.
Winger Hooper had showcased a second strong defensive performance but it was her opposite winger Jess Williams who dove powerfully over the line for her side’s bonus-point try.
Abbey were now in the driving seat and their confidence showed all over the pitch. Barker and Kiff continued their strong carries, while replacement front row forwards Kiernan and Kearns made some huge defensive hits.
Denton-Rice staked her claim to repeat last season’s feat as the league’s top points scorer with a further two brilliant individual try finishes, while she enjoyed a superb day from the tee, converting five of her six conversion attempts.
It was an assured performance with a lot of regular faces back in the fold after last week’s defeat. Gale and Fowler were welcome returns, and Newton continued to show the strong pathway at Abbey, playing in her third 1st XV fixture this season.
Now elevated to sixth in the table, Abbey Women will be looking to take points when they welcome London Irish in two weeks’ time, while the 2nd XV will be travelling to Marlow this Sunday looking for their first spoils of the season.
Report by Annette Tomas, Pictures @rugbygrandad
