RNRL Women Triumph in Bristol

On arguably the hottest day of the year to date with a strong breeze blowing down the North Bristol RFC 4G pitch the Wrenegades took the lead after 15 minutes. A speculative kick on the last was fumbled by the Ferns defence allowing debutant Daisy Lumsden to touch down for her sides first score 4:0. Five minutes later RNRL were in again, another move on the left was finished by the experienced Josie Parnaby crashing over for the four pointer, the try being converted by Chloe Sopp to stretch her sides lead to 10:0. Almost from the kick off RNRL were in again, this time the play was from midfield out to the RN right well finished from 20 yds out by skipper Sian McLaughlin 14:0. Into the 2nd quarter of the game and the points kept coming for the Wrenegades, another debutant, winger Ellis Thorpe, was next to score. A promising move on the RN right seemed to have stalled however the ball was moved across the field giving the winger room to score her maiden try to see the Wrenegades move to an 18:0 lead. More success on the flanks saw Jodie Mills cross and touchdown for another well worked RN try 22:00. Josie Parnaby’s second try of the day completed a great attack by the visitors, a fine conversion by Cheryl Goodwin also on debut took her side out to 28:0 as half time approached. The Golden Ferns had worked hard in midfield using their pack to punch holes in the RN defence, for the most part the RN had defended well however on the stroke of half-time prop Patricia Brown opened her sides account taking the RN defenders with her as she crossed for the try, 28:4 at the break.

Despite being short on numbers the Golden Ferns came out for the second half determined to build on the late score in the first half and for the next quarter pushed the Wrenegades all the way scoring 12 unanswered points bringing them back into the game. Whilst the Wrenegades continued to try and move the ball around it did lead to errors giving the Ferns the opportunity to get back on terms. Into the last 10 minutes with the game still in the balance a final push to the Ferns line was rewarded with a 6 again call by Ref Alex McDonald close to the line. The next play gave Cheryl Goodwin a chance, thes stand off took the chance well scoring under the posts and going on to convert her own try stretching the RN’s lead to 34:16. That proved to be the last score of the match and the final whistle came soon after to give the Wrenegades a morale boosting win after several barren seasons. A great result for the Wrenegades led on the day by Sian McLaughlin at Lose Forward whilst vice-captain Olivia Critchey-Peddle marshalled the backs both in defence and attack from her position at full back

A mention to Manager CJ Kane who worked hard to secure players for the game as well as seeing the side win for the first time in her tenure as manager. Thanks also to assistant coach Dave Heming and physio Mark Povey who both had plenty to do on the day including running the line! Our thanks as well to former Leeds Rhinos and RAF player Alex Barnes who was in the dug-out giving advice to the RN players especially those RU players making their debut in Rugby League colours
RN Scorers:- T Lumsden, Parnaby(2), McLaughlin, Thorpe, Mills, Goodwin
G Goodwin(2), Sopp

Thanks to our hosts the Golden Ferns who despite being low on numbers made the game a great advert for Womens Rugby League and to North Bristol RFC for the use of their facilities

Not surprisingly spirits were high after the match but Coach Matt Bayliss appreciates there is much more work to do before Septembers Inter Series, however on the day his charges earned their shirts and came away with the win. After reflecting on the game overnight he gave his reaction to the match:
A fantastic game of rugby for anyone to watch, and a typical old fashioned game of two halves! I’m very pleased to see the team come away with what was no easy win!
Practicing everything I preached in camp all week, the first 40 minutes, the navy women did the basics, did them well and put them in what should have been a commanding position. A spirited return to the field saw the Bristol gold-ferns battle back and put us on the back foot - a position I didn’t expect to see the team have to endure, but after scoring 3 tries unanswered, they were well and truly back in the game. After a hectic period, I was pleased to see the organisation creep back in slowly but surely. With us returning to doing the fundamentals well to secure our win, the Sisters got first-hand experience what it’s like to be coasting and have their backs against the wall. A pleasing display in parts, with plenty more still to build on, we look forward to a challenging but rewarding season leading up to IS.
Coaches Player of the match - Lucy Honeybell