Historic Day For Crewe & Nantwich RUFC - Welcome Ladies

Spring traditionally symbolises a new season and whilst any hints of the Spring weather evident in the morning were blown away in a torrent of rain and wind, the birth of Crewe and Nantwich RUFC Ladies section was very much plain for everyone to see on Sunday at the Vagrants.
It’s impossible to fully put into words the challenges of building a team from scratch, let alone a ladies team with a local playing population just a fraction of what the men’s section enjoys. In this minority sport, players are frequently asked to travel long distances to play, they represent many different teams and usually struggle to maintain continuity of coaching. The teams that do form can struggle for opposition- there is often a big gap between established sides and those attempting to build.
To see 21 ladies wearing the Black and White hoops of Crewe and Nantwich in front of a crowd nearing 100 supporters was the realisation of a dream for some, and a lot of hard work for others, not least the players. It is sobering to think that half of the match day squad had never played contact rugby before November 28th 2014. Needless to say, within the coaching team, nerves were jangling. Although quietly confident at the long term potential of the team, I don’t think any of us could have predicted quite how well the team gelled in horrendous conditions.
Due to the inexperience of the team, the format was to be 20 minute quarters with rolling subs. Other than that, full match conditions applied with referee David Owen (who enjoyed a fine game) briefed to explain the laws as well as enforcing them.
Eccles 2nd XV comprised some players new to the game with some experience from their 1st XV and other clubs and it became apparent quickly after kick off that they would run hard in the forwards. The Crewe pack was significant smaller in size and in the early exchanges from kick off, heroic defensive work was needed to prevent pick and drives and some hard-running fringe work converting pressure into points. Some impressive tackling, particularly from Ellie Maskrey and Molliie Latham tempered Eccles’ progress with their frustration eventually causing a knock-on. A strong scrum saw Crewe win possession for the 1st time in the game, and some crisp passing gained some territory. Sadly a knock-on gave a scrum to Eccles and Crewe were back in the trenches. Some sharp work from the Eccles 9 very nearly broke the Crewe line down the blind-side- a heroic tackle from scrum half Nikki Cole stymied the Eccles progress, ending her game in the process but Crewe won a penalty just outside their own 22.
Although not pretty, the Crewe line-out was effective and the backs had the 1st chance of showing what they were made of. A sharp pass from 10 Phoebe Jay to Claire Waterhouse very nearly created something- the resulting quick ball from the ruck gave Simone Christopher a sniff of a gap. Although she was ultimately tackled, a powerful angled run saw Eccles on the turn. The breakdown work was ferocious- Helena Crook and Mollie Latham combining expertly to retain possession with a short pop pass sending Ellie Maskrey rampaging deep into the Eccles half. Phoebe Jay again combined with her centres to give Georgie Perris-Redding a run- half a metre more space would have seen her clear but instead she was bundled into touch by her opposite player.
The lineout restarted play and Eccles tried to clear their lines. Crewe, now gaining in belief from winning a series of collisions with Cherie Davies hitting the line hard in the tight. An attack down the left and a fine pass from Simone Christopher finally gave Georgie Perris-Redding the space she needed to open the taps. The crowd vociferously showed their approval as she scorched over from outside the Eccles 22. The effect this had on the players was impressive- some had endured a tough season in an MMU team struggling for numbers so seeing a try in front of considerable support gave them a crucial lift.
Crewe struggled from the Eccles kick-off and knocked on, but yet again managed to turn the ball over before Eccles could get moving. Phoebe Jay and Claire Waterhouse showing some excellent speed and anticipation to hit the tackles before the opposition could get up speed. Simone Christopher rucked hard and quickly the cavalry arrived. A strong run from prop Kerry Dynan from a Helena Crook short pass fractured the Eccles defence and Crewe found themselves camped outside the Eccles 22. Some brutal close quarters exchanges ensued with Chelsea Hobbs enjoying a strong performance in the loose to punch more holes. A sharp pass from Helena found Phoebe Jay well marked but on the front foot- her pass to Claire Waterhouse was timed to perfection and Claire took an angle that drew appreciative gasps from the crowd and raced over to make the score 10-0.
The 2nd quarter was all Crewe’s. Some personnel changes saw Sam Kirk come onto the flank and India Perris-Redding onto the wing. Both made immediate impacts in attack with Sam running hard and straight and seemingly popping up everywhere around the fringes. Eccles enjoyed some good possession but couldn’t break the Crewe line- the closest they got to making headway was their winger taking a fine pass into space and taking on India who, with the help of the dynamic Ellie Maskrey introduced her forcibly to the touchline right in front of the Crewe support. A minute later, a similar move saw the impressive prop Tammy Murphy go one better with a full-blooded tackle of the same winger in almost the same spot.
Eccles, by this stage had started to change tactics opting to use the wind to gain territory with the boot. EJ McLeod (having her first taste at full back) managed the high ball like a pro, catching and counter-attacking at pace. An impressive run from India Perris-Redding (who was all elbows and knees to anyone who came near her) very nearly resulted in a score had she wriggled free to run clear.
Some excellent forwards play later and Crewe were attacking the Eccles line. Sadly a turnover ensued, but the Eccles 9 couldn’t release the ball to her 10 and was scragged by Sam Kirk. Helena Crook turned the ball back to the Crewe side and popped to Mollie Latham. Mollie had played at Crewe and Nantwich as a Junior 10 years ago and wasn’t about to blow an opportunity like this, smashing through 3 tackles to crash over in front of a stunned crowd.
By this stage of the game, it seemed as if Crewe could run away with it- all credit to the Eccles players who worked hard and smart to find chinks in the Crewe armour after half time. Crewe’s inexperience was telling and an infringement after a penalty found Crewe defending their line hard. Several phases later and they crashed over for the score. Sadly the close quarter play had taken its toll. Phoebe Jay’s work in defence had been heroic. A last ditch tackle found her isolated from her support and the resulting melee caused her a nasty injury to her knee.
The 3rd quarter was attritional –the worsening weather and tiring bodies causing the game to fragment and lose shape. Laura Hollinshead did some excellent work around the breakdown and in defence making a real nuisance of herself particularly around the rucks. As the game progressed the sizeable Eccles pack were relentless in the tight with Fuchsia Woodward and Chelsea Hobbs putting in some huge hits, one hit from Chelsea on the powerful Eccles 8 drew a roar of approval from the crowd. Fuchsia also lived up to her star billing with some powerful runs, one notable example saw the Eccles pack needing 3 players to haul her down.
Eccles were chasing the game now and mistakes were creeping in. Their 10 tried in vain to win territory through kicking. One kick was well marshalled by India Perris Redding, another found her sister in acres of space. Georgie’s pace was a sight to behold all game and her try from halfway was sharply taken. At this point it felt like the game Crewe’s to win. Sadly 1 more injury was to come with Ellie Maskrey twisting a knee in the Eccles 22. By this point the Crewe bench was exhausted but Chloee Watson and Sarah Wicks filling in well on the flanks whilst the ever versatile Sam Kirk moved to 9. All contributed well with both Sarah and Chloee tackling well and Sam continuing to carry the ball strongly. Even though EJ McLeod filled in well for Phoebe at 10, by this stage of the game the quality of ball to the backs was behind where it had been preventing Claire and Simone from getting into the game as the forwards arm-wrestled their way through the closing stages.
But with 20-5 on the scoreboard, Eccles were unable to turn the game, the ref’s whistle bringing shrieks of joy from the Crewe players.
It was a convincing win in the end giving both sides plenty to be proud of. Crewe and Nantwich Ladies has started with a bang. They started the game as players, they walked off the pitch as a team.