Blues Ladies put 90 points past strugglers Swindon Supermarine

Newbury Blues Ladies laid down an emphatic marker in the race for the Women’s Championship South West 2 title, thrashing strugglers Swindon Supermarine 90-0.

Blues are now in a commanding position ahead of the run-in, 17 points clear of second-placed Ivybridge, having won all of their first nine games.

Newbury's backs have been a handful for all the league's defences and their fluid attackers filled their boots as wingers Anna Krzyzanowska, Chloe Darby and Roisin Winston, full-back Becky Church and dynamic captain Lizzie Harris all celebrated multiple tries as Blues stormed to their biggest win of the season.

Swindon, who are third from bottom in the league, stuck to their task but were unable to breach Newbury's defence while the Blues forwards got in on the scoring act as Chloe Hunt, Fi Leman-Lawrie and Becks Reeves all crossed for tries of their own.

Blues travel to Ivybridge on Sunday for a top-of-the-table clash, knowing a win would leave them with at least one hand on the league title.

There was a much closer contest as the second team took on Swindon's seconds as a controlled and patient performance helped Blues to a 22-5 win.

Newbury set up camp in Swindon's half and impressed with their technical skills at the scrum. dominating their opponents pack and driving towards the line.

Their reward came when River Lewis beat three tackles to score her first try for the second team and fire Blues into a lead.

However Swindon scrummaged their way back into the game, maintaining attacking position before some over-eagerness from the Blues defence allowed a quick-thinking Supermarine attacker to snipe over the line and make it one score apiece.

This was definitely a game for scrum-enthusiasts and Blues were back in front when a well-worked set piece from Aimee Clarke freed scrum-half Sophie Rothwell who weaved through three Swindon tacklers and touched down as Newbury went in at half time ahead.

There was more of the same in the second half as Newbury dictated the tempo, extending their lead when Charlotte McFadzen breached a gap in the Supermarine line to mark her debut with a maiden try.

Charlotte Beverage kicked the conversion and wrapped up the win, the final score 22-5.

The second team can now look forward to a break before a game against Fairford.