Captains Foreword

(by Sam Akerman)

We were all very excited to brush off the crumbs left from Christmas and get stuck straight back into playing after a couple of weeks off! Risborough provided a very competitive game which really forced us to put everything we are learning in training into action and it’s great to see some of that starting to appear! We turned up to the game with 21 players ready to take the field, it’s exciting how diverse and strong we are becoming... a real Belles Army!

We have so much support, so again I just wanted to thank every single person that came down to watch, its great to see the sideline full of support! In the words of Mohammed Ali: „If my mind can conceive it, if my heart can believe it... then I can achieve it.“ I believe that about this team!

New year, full squad on home turf and lots of gorgeous supporters for a 2pm kick off!

(by Louise Payne)

And we're off with a bang! Sadly the bang was the sound of Risborough scoring a try and getting the conversion.Never a team to let our heads drop we pushed on. Roxy in her usual style ran up on the opposition, forcing a knock on. First scrum. Turns out it is the first of many scrums. Evie clearly had her Weetabix today: big tackles, running hard lines and smashing through their defensive line. The Belles were uncharacteristically quiet for while, as Franzi charged through and made a crunching smash and grab. Heather put in several tackles pushing them back, giving the Belles time to gather their thoughts. Becky Blue charging in like a woman possessed, crushing rucking. Roxy then made many meters towards the try line and after a few heated exchanges, Katrina - so engrossed and suffering from white line fever - didn't hear the whistle scored a try...

Moving on quickly, the girls were 5 meters out and gave a big push. Evie made it over the line and Lee kicked for gold, bagging our first try and conversion. 

Juggling has never been a strong skill for the Belles and so we had to dig deep to regain our composure and of course the ball. Hard work pays of: second try to Evie but this time Lee didn't manage to convert the try.

Sam, our captain, spent the whole first half taking down Risboroughs attacking line. Cheeky Ris managed to get in a try, sadly no conversation.  

Some lovely open play followed. Lee, our resident kangaroo, made leaps and bounds moving the ball up the field. Rosie, Alice and Els put pressure on where necessary. Laurens’ strength in the pack showed in the scrums and rucking.

Half time. Some changes made Harvey and Rachel arrive - to show how the bench wasn't just made up of pretty faces. The air turned a little blue and keeping our heads we still applied pressure. Emily (first run out with the Belles) showed she's a class act. Nina never knowingly knocked down, gave a powerful performance. The return of old lady Sarah K. to the wing showed us that the key to rugby is inner belief! Enter Sophie our second debut player - woop!

Harvey created some late chances near the try line - powerful mauls. Becky Blue still going strong and lightening Lee fast on the heals of a Risborough player - as they scored the last try of the match. 

With thanks to referee and coaches.

Tries scored by: Evie (2), Roxy

Date of next home fixture: 20/01/2019