West defeat Chelmsford 54-7 in physical game

West Norfolk Ladies’ season started with a bang as a newly promoted side in the National Challenge League 1.

West defeated a well drilled Chelmsford side 54-7 in a thoroughly physical game on Sunday.

The Ladies had played two friendlies against stiff opposition from Harwich and Wymondham at the end of the summer and were eager to start the season with a third victory.

There was a great start to the game with a couple of new players; Libby Lockwood coming into the West side with a wealth of experience, who had also played alongside Georgie Lingham in the Eastern Counties team, and Kelly Saunders who played her first match with determination and made some exceptional tackles.

The forwards played a hard fought game around tackles and the ruck managing to turn over balls and recycle well. The scrum was strong and easily overpowered the opposition with strong drives and well hooked balls allowing the backs to break away and run.

There were awesome team tries as well brilliant individual tries in a very physical game which was played in good spirits by both teams. The referee did well apart from forgetting there were identical twins on the pitch!

West tries were scored by Leah Watson, Rosie Lingham, Nerea Fernández Rodríguez, Mary Hegarty, Zoe Sharp and four from Lockwood. Tries were also converted by Sharp and Tiff Turner. Back of the match was Ellen Collison and forward of the match Libby Lockwood.

West Norfolk Ladies’ next match is on Sunday away against Woodbridge. Training is on Wednesday nights from 6pm for girls from year 7 and from 7pm for the ladies at the club on Gatehouse Lane, North Wootton.