Fixture

After a big win on the road at Merthyr RFC 2 weeks ago, the Lady Blacks were at home this week as they played host to Deri Diamonds RFC, knowing that another win would make it 3 wins on the bounce, and more importantly would keep them in the mix for the top spot of the league.

Burry Port Ladies had a good training session in the week and were determined to come out firing for this game, and it didn't take them long to get their first score of the day. Some great handling from a turnover and aggressive ball carrying saw the home sides pack able to make inroads in the visitors 22 and blindside flanker Alana Borthwick used her speed and power to bundle her way over out wide.

From the resulting kick off, the home teams forwards once again went through the phases and took the ball forward a number of times and then some fast hands from Jenna Marshall allowed flanker-come-centre Catrina Bowen to run a brilliant angle and use her pace to run in unopposed for the teams 2^nd try. The conversion was slotted by Keely Evans.

About 5 minutes after, Catrina Bowen found herself on the scoresheet once again after a similar piece of play saw her run in once again, this time out wider, and from a shorter distance.

The Lady Blacks 4^th try was created after a combination of good defensive skills saw the forwards turn Deri over, and some brilliant offloading skills by forwards and backs alike, allowed home wing Alanah Powell to cross with ease. This was the last score of the first half, making the score 22 – 0 at half time.

The second half saw the visitors return to the field looking a lot more determined as they seemed to up their game and put some good phases of play together. However after all their hard work they spilled the ball and home scrum half Keely Evans gathered it and danced her way through a number of defenders and then found herself in open space all the way over the line for the teams 5^th try of the afternoon, which was then successfully converted by team captain Llinos Rees.

The visitors were next to get themselves on the scoreboard thanks to some good ball carrying in the Burry Port half, and their number 8 ran a great angle to find herself tackled over the line for their first try, which was converted. Deri also managed to score another try soon after, as Burry Port conceded a few penalties and eventually, their flanker powered her way over.

Burry Port soon bounced back from a spell camped in their own half and outside half Betsan Ellis-Williams found herself with ball in hand near the Deri line and used good strength to cross the line.

With about 5 minutes left to play, Burry Ports No.8 and Captain Llinos Rees was able to take full advantage of the tired Deri defence as she gathered the ball and fought her way over outwide, beating 3 defenders in the process.

Overall this was a fantastic result for the Lady Blacks and the coaches were very pleased to see them play through the phases and then spread the ball out wide, as well as their defence being very strong for long parts of the game. The team has come a very long way over the last year, as demonstrated by the togetherness and teamwork of the girls.  

FULL TIME: Burry Port Ladies 39 - 12 Deri Diamonds RFC

Player of the match: Catrina Bowen