In awful weather conditions, Abbey Women delivered a strong first half performance to hold the on-form visitors to a 0-14 lead at half time, but it was OA Saints who capitalised on the strong wind in the second half to grind out an impressive victory.
Two red cards for the visitors, one a player and one a coach, marred an otherwise clinical performance and one in which Abbey Women can take heart from their first half display.
Using the wind to their advantage, as well as OA Saints’ early ill-discipline, Mia McCreesh kicked well to gain early territory for her side.
A surging run from her centre partner Alice Denton-Rice ensured most of the first half was played in OA Saints’ half, yet their defence remained impassable.
Repeated attempts by Abbey to cross their line were thwarted, and the difficult conditions led to a multitude of handling errors.
However, Abbey remained keen, with important turnovers from Katherine Sheppard and Annette Bevan keeping the momentum with Abbey.
Eventually, OA Saints’ patience paid off and quick hands from a lineout saw pacey centre Caroline Collie slice through a gap in the defence, and the visitors were rewarded from their first foray into
Abbey’s half. Just before half time, indiscipline on Abbey’s part allowed OA Saints to kick into the corner, from which a series of strong carries saw their forward pack claim a try just before the half time whistle.
Abbey were buoyed by their first half performance, yet their inability to convert pressure, possession and territory into points was punished in the second half by OA Saints, who scored five more unanswered tries with the strong wind now at their backs.
Credit to the home side, their dogged resilience shone through their mud-plastered kit, with strong tackles from Tori Kiff and the returning Meaghan Fowler, while Annabel Hawkins and Keni Lenton brought excellent impact from the bench.
And although OA Saints were eventually reduced to fourteen players, after a rogue punch was thrown in contact, they held Abbey out.
