The Army Women came into this match in 14 previous Inter services competitions so were full of confidence ahead of the game. The RN Wrenegades though have continued to build and develop under Coach Matt Bayliss and this was to be a great measure of how far the Womens game has progressed since IS 2022. Bayliss was able to name a full 18 player squad for the fixture with several new players making debuts in this the most testing of games.

Early exchanges were disrupted by penalties on both sides but RN had a chance with Holly Cole getting the ball out on the wing but was bounced out of play by the Army defence. The Army then took the initiative and began to exert control over the game scoring a total of 4 tries with just the one conversion throughout the first half. Frustratingly for the Wrenegades they just could not get the breaks despite coming close on several occasions and so it was 0:18 at the break. The second half was almost a mirror of the first half with the home side putting in a massive shift in defence but unable to get the final touch and get on the board. Perhaps this was highlighted most with the Army’s second try of the half to centre Yaravoli. A promising attack by the RN saw the Army field the kick in their own 20 metre zone and Yaravoli set of through centre field to touch down 60 metres away! A couple of further scores for the Soldiers gave them the win by 36 points and their winning run looks to be continued for this season. This was not a faultless performance by the Army however, plenty of handling errors and penalties conceded took the shine off the Army’s efforts

The Wrenegades did not lack commitment and determination and it is a credit to skipper Sian McLaughlin on the field that her charges kept their spirits up to the end of the game. Off the field the management team of Matt Bayliss, CJ Kane and Dave Hemming were rightly proud of their teams efforts and now have two weeks to build on this performance with lessons learned ahead of the final round against the RAF.
The Army then took the newly dedicated Minerva Trophy as they head to St Helens for their fixture against the RAF next week

Wrenegades:- 1. Jas Abel 2. Jodie Mills 3. Abigail Ashley, 4. Daisy Lumsden 5. Holly Cole 6. Cheryl Goodwin 7. Emma Swinton 8. Lucy Honeybell 9. Caitlin Render 10. Rosie Staples 11. Hannah Underwood 12 Rachel Marley 13. Sian McLaughlin 14. Lauren Watson 15. Elona Bythell 16. Maria Law 17. Maddie Cowley 18. Ellis Thorpe

Army Women:- 1. Charlotte Hill 2. Kira Fitzpatrick 3. Manuqalo Komaitai 4. Akisi Yaravoli 5. Kasalaini Gaunavinaka 6. Ellie Raines 7. Lucy Hewitt 8. Skye Jackson 9. Isabel Bibby 10. Kat Williams 11. Ella Donnelly 12. Elise Townsend 13. Emily White 14. Adi Masimoa 15. Jessica Williams 16. Una Vakacegu 17. Telly Biaukula 18. Zelah Yuill