Horwood heroics as Ladies battle to brilliant win

Newbury Blues Ladies beat Trojans Ladies 12-5 in a top of the table clash that extended their Women's Championship South West 2 advantage to eight points.

Blues travelled to Southampton expecting a difficult test, one that became even harder when the hosts crashed over to lead 5-0 after dominating the opening exchanges.

However it didn't take long for Blues to level the scores, their back line finding their trademark fluidity straight from the restart as Meg Mason and Lizzie Harris combined to set up the prolific Anna Krzyzanowska to touch down and make it 5-5.

In difficult conditions the two sides cancelled each other out for much of the rest of the first half, Trojans pressing but finding Newbury's resolute defence impenetrable time and again until the referee's whistle signalled half time with the sides still locked at 5-5.

The hosts continued to shade things after the break and used the impressive boot of their 12 to look for touch in search of their second score.

Blues' Abbie Leadbitter had other ideas and her ferocious defence at the line out denied Trojans the breakthrough as the clock ticked down.

This felt like a contest that was to be decided by a single score and so it proved as Blues edged up the field thanks to their forward pack, closing on the line with a succession of pick and drives before Meg Horwood crashed over to make it 10-5.

When Becky Church's boot added the extra two points Blues had a slender 12-5 lead to defend.

And defend it Blues did, denying Trojans the chance to spread the ball out wide with a succession of superb tackles and some excellent work at the breakdown that secured Blues their seventh league win in succession and inflicted Trojans' first league defeat of the season.

Blues host Cullompton at Monks Lane on Sunday, their final home game before Christmas, looking to maintain their 100 per cent record as the first half of a successful campaign draws to a close.

The visitors look set to provide a stern test, having enjoyed an excellent campaign of their own that has them third in the league ahead of the festive break.

As always, the Ladies would love some support at Monks Lane this weekend.