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Teddington Ladies 0 Wimbledon Ladies 70
Wimbledon Ladies have talked on a number of occasions this season about putting down markers for their opponents to take notice of. A record of 5 wins from 5 games had seen them rise to the top of their league having some played some wonderful flowing rugby and often making a number of changes due to injuries and unavailability. 5 from 5 became 6 from 6 on Sunday in emphatic style.
So many of the players are in fantastic form and are able to translate what they practice on a Wednesday and take it into their games in a Sunday, impressive wins over Ealing and Reading are testament to that. Those wins were blitzed by possibly the Ladies best display of the season (and certainly that this writer has seen) in Bushy Park against a Teddington team who are notoriously difficult to beat on their own patch and had shown that by pushing Woodbridge (the only other unbeaten team in the league) all the way this season going down 15-17. Wimbledon knew they were in for a tough game and also knew that any points picked up would have to be fought hard for.
The game started well as the forwards looked to establish early dominance and some slick handling in the back line saw the ball moved from wing to wing with plenty of recycling and hitting up from forwards and backs alike. Teddington did threaten briefly, mainly through following up their fly half’s kicks that caused a few problems with their distance and some good chasing but the defence held firm and Wimbledon slowly started to build some momentum. The pressure was converted into points when Olivia, who has been scoring tries for fun on the wing recently, scooted round the covering full back and tiptoed her way in at the corner despite some protests that she had stepped out from the Teddington team, hard to justify when the touch judge is one of your own team!
Gutti missed the conversion from wide out but made up for it 5 minutes later as the Ladies exerted more pressure on the Teddington line and Gutti capitalised on a charged down clearance to touch down, beating the opposition to the ball and converting the try to make it 12-0. The third try followed a short while later and what a cracker it was.
After yet another clearance kick to relieve more Wimbledon pressure, Kate Whitaker fielded the ball and set off towards the Teddington line. Showing superb pace, Kate stepped through the gaps that opened up for her and broke through the defensive line to score under the posts having rounded the full back with another burst of speed. Gutti converted to leave the score 19-0. 19 became 24 moments before the half time whistle. After more good forward work recycling the ball and some good hard running round the edges of the rucks and mauls, Marie broke through the Teddington defence to score the Dons 4th try to underline their 1st half dominance. The try was unconverted but Wimbledon went into the break looking good value for their lead and looking to drive their dominance home with a bonus point win.
Changes were made at the break as Randy was brought on as well as debutant Jo Linklater, an Aussie who has joined the ladies recently and looks to be a good addition to a what is a growing and talented squad. Randy immediately made an impression, making ground from the kick off and taking the Ladies forward into Teddington territory again.
The next 35 minutes was a display of the fantastic running rugby that the Ladies are able to produce. Forwards and backs alike all got in on the act as Wimbledon ran riot against a Teddington side who to their credit never gave up and carried on working right through to the final whistle.
Wimbledon crossed the line for a further 8 tries in the 2nd half, 3 of them converted by Gutti who was also close with a number of other conversions from out wide. Olivia was responsible for no less than 5 of those tries taking her contribution in the game to 6 (and 10 tries in 2 games too!) with Kate getting on the scoresheet again as did Cheese and a fine forwards try from Anna that finished off a perfect example of a catch and drive from a lineout.
Kate scored from distance again with another dummy and step inside the full back to score under the posts. Cheese touched down in the corner after more good work from the forwards with Charlie in particular showing devastating speed to break the entire Teddington forward pack in half not once but twice and get the Dons driving forward deep into Teddington territory. As stated above, Anna scored a fantastic forwards try that involved a catch and drive from the Teddington 10m line right into the heart of the 22 and over the line but the half undoubtedly belonged to player of the match Olivia.
Special mentions must also go to back of the match Gutti, who had a good game again including one break and chip over that she was close to gathering and Charlie, who topped off a good game that included 2 good breaks and was forward of the match. The scrum established its dominance as the game went on, the lineout was impressive again and the backs finished off some good moves with some efficient and slick handling. Mentions must also go to Jo who had a good debut, Randy, who made some good yards coming on including a barnstorming run through one of the big Teddington forwards and Sonic who provided plenty of good, clean quick ball from the breakdown that kept the girls moving forwards.
The next league game sees the Ladies take on Woodbridge at Beverley Meads on the 22nd November in a top of the table clash between the only unbeaten sides in the division and is a massive clash for the ladies to really take a grip on the League.
By Sam Vitty
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