West Norfolk beaten in opening home game by Wymondham
Storm Amy blew into town but didn’t stop West Norfolk Warriors from playing their first home game of the season.
West saw several players out with injuries and others playing out of position but they started strongly and pinned Wymondham in their 22 for the first 20 minutes.
The high levels of penalties for both sides meant that the game didn’t get going and both sides struggled to string together any meaningful plays.
After 25 minutes, West Norfolk centre Eleanor Navrady-Wright was carded for not retreating and this gave Wymondham the space they needed to run in three tries in quick succession.
West steadied the ship and strong runs from debutant Eva Kalabina and huge defensive tackles for full-back OJ Middleton-Jones kept West in the game.
West lost Middleton-Jones to a head injury near the end of the first half, in a try-saving tackle but Wymondham scored once more and to take a 24-0 lead into the break.
West came back strongly in the second half, winning scrums against the head, stealing lineouts galore and pulling off rolling mauls that the Red Roses would be proud of.
The pressure on Wymondham resulted in a high penalty count and a couple of yellow cards, and West capitalised through Lara Mount running in her first try for West Norfolk.
The hosts should have awarded a penalty try but some confusion from the referee saw it given as a scrum instead, with yet another card for Wymondham.
The play was back a forth for the rest of the game, more yellow cards followed, with Wymondham more clinical in their finishing to score three more tries to win the game 5-39.
Coach Jane Middleton-Jones said: "Whilst it wasn’t the result we wanted, I think the team put in a big effort today and their heads didn’t drop once.
"The score doesn’t reflect the guts they showed and it's always a good day when you get to spend it playing rugby with your mates."
Back of the Match was Eva Kalabina and Forward of the Match was Ruth Denham, sponsored by Adrian Flux Insurance.
