Still Unbeaten - These Girls Can!!

Crewe and Nantwich kicked off their inaugural season in league rugby with a bruising but convincing win against a physical Didsbury Toc H side on Sunday. The game saw CNRUFC Ladies maintain their remarkable unbeaten run in perfect rugby conditions against a well-resourced side expected to be competitive in the league this season.
Crewe’s progress in the off-season was put to the test early after Didsbury’s strong running around the fringes and excellent ball retention saw the away side defending hard inside the 22. It became quickly apparent that the sides were well-matched for power in the pack. A wheeled scrum early on saw a free-kick to Crewe close to their line with the experienced Louise Reade finding a slight advantage in the front row. This alleviated the pressure enabling new-comer Sally Cox to clear for touch well. A solid Crewe lineout saw Crewe win a sustained period of play with the ball.
A series of strong runs from centres Georgie Perris-Redding and Claire Waterhouse eventually gave winger India Perris-Redding the space she needed, rounding her opposite number, shrugging off a covering tackle before wrong-footing the full-back to score an excellent try under the posts. Although the conversion was missed, the score gave Crewe the confidence they needed to start strongly from the re-start with Debs Sayers punching forward and Mollie Latham and Katie Heirene combining well to gain territory.
A strong break from Phoebe Jay found full-back Simone Christopher in space with only some desperate defence stopping a try.
Both sides had done their homework on each other and Georgie Perris-Redding was contained well for much of the first half with the Didsbury centres Lauren Muddiman and Daryl Gray tackling hard and using the drift defence effectively. Once Georgie got a half-chance she was away, scoring an excellent try in heavy traffic just before half-time. Didsbury’s only real chance was snuffed out by an excellent tackle from Lola Tompkinson on the left wing.
The second half started well with Crewe’s prop Kerry-Ann Dynan catching well and running it hard back at the Didsbury defence. However a series of infringements from Crewe and some excellent interplay between the Didsbury forwards lost both territory and momentum. Despite a strong carry from Mercedes Lyons and some crunching tackles from Sam Kirk, Crewe’s lack of a clearance kicking option ultimately saw a turn-over close to their line after a strong run from Christy Roberts was well marshalled. Didsbury kept their heads well and finally broke through from the close quarters with Lauren Muddiman crashing over for a well-worked score. The extras were added by Hannah Watson, cutting the deficit. Minutes later, Crewe found themselves again in a defensive position after a midfield break from Daryl Gray and the Didsbury winger. Crewe again scrambled well to keep Didsbury out but a sharp ruck and quick possession found Hannah Watson in space. Although Katie Heirene’s tackle very nearly stopped a try, Hannah touched down and converted to put Didsbury 2 points ahead.
Crewe had never been behind on the scoreboard before and it was clearly the spark needed to up the tempo. Another excellent re-start take from Kerry-Ann Dynan, a rampaging run from Chelsea Hobbs and some excellent support play from Mollie Latham and Katie Heirene very nearly made the platform to release Simone Christopher and India Perris-Redding down the right hand side. In the end the final pass didn’t quite find it’s mark and India was bundled into touch.
A good lineout and another gallop from Debs Sayer (who enjoyed a fine game) produced the quick ball needed attack just outside the 22. Phoebe Jay showed what she can do with the ball in hand, stepping strongly through a tiring Didsbury back row and running in under the posts. The score was well timed and enabled Crewe to re-assert themselves on a game that had become an arm-wrestle. Didsbury’s back row, in particular continued to make a nuisance of themselves with Toni Richmond and Rachel Haywood at 7 and 8 respectively combining well in both attack and defence.
Sally Cox’s fast work at 9 eventually gave Crewe some much needed space bringing the dangerous Claire Waterhouse into the game. Claire gained vital yards allowing Georgie Perris-Redding to dance through flailing arms from just outside the 22 to score a vital try.
With 20 minutes to go, Crewe upped the intensity and pace to a level Didsbury couldn’t live with. Chelsea Hobb’s fitness work over the summer saw her make 4 strong breaks through the midfield setting a fantastic platform for Katie Heirene, Laura Hollinshead (who’s work in the tight was outstanding throughout) and Mollie Latham to get Crewe on the front foot. A series of pop passes through the forwards very nearly saw an excellent score from Tammy Johnson at the base of the posts. Quick ball down the left found Mollie in space, driving over for another converted Crewe score.
Crewe’s superior fitness and class in key positions threatened to really turn a close game into a rout, but Didsbury remained committed and very nearly made a good break down the right; only some excellent defensive work from Jules Pemberton prevented the home side gaining any territory.
Phoebe Jay scored another excellent individual try moments later and the Didsbury challenge faded with it. The last ten minutes saw Laura Heming enjoy an impressive cameo in her first ever game, and Jordan Morris showing her versatility and quality with a solid turn at fly half to enable Phoebe Jay to take a break.
In the end the score line flattered a Crewe side that had had its first real work out. The return fixture is already looking like a classic with both sides going into their first league season well-resourced and full of ambition. On this showing, CNRUFC Ladies will take some beating. On commitment alone, they demonstrated heart and courage. If the coaching team can bring game management and some more structure to the game, other sides will find a trip to South Cheshire extremely challenging.