Meg’s hat-trick sets up Blues’ win over Bath

MEG Horwood’s hat-trick steered Newbury Blues Ladies to a thrilling 28-22 win over Bath in their final Championship 1 South game of the season.

They made a flying start as Chloe Hunt kicked a penalty in the first minute.

But the visitors regrouped and scored two tries to take a grip on the game at 12-3.

Newbury hit back and a quick penalty led to Horwood charging over to make it 12-8.

Attack from both teams continued to be fierce but the dominate scrum Newbury have displayed all season was too much for the Bath pack.

And, from another scrum, play, play switched direction and Jenny Buckley crashed over the far left corner to give Newbury a 13-12 lead.

Bath hit back again and just before half-time they went over again to reclaim the lead.

The second half got off to a disastrous start for Blues as a knock on eventually led to the visitors scoring another try to extend their lead.

Newbury were awarded a series of penalties for high tackles and it was Horwood who once again crossed the white wash at the bottom of a pile of Blue and Green players to keep Newbury in the game.

Then a flattening tackle from Tilly Burn allowed Meg Carter to steal the ball and Kirsty Batten flew through the defence to set up Horwood to

complete her hat-trick and make it 25-22.

Georgia Smith calmly slotted a penalty through the posts to push Newbury’s lead and Blues withstood late pressure to end the season in style.

The 2nd XV, though, still have

two remaining games, the first of which is at home to Didcot on Sunday, April 7.