Darby's day as debutant stars

Newbury Ladies travelled to Westbury for their third Women’s Championship South West 2 fixture of the season and demonstrated excellent skill and sportsmanship to return home with a bonus point 43-5 win.

Having won their last two matches, league leaders Newbury arrived full of confidence but it was the hosts who made a better start, winning a turnover at the breakdown, spreading the ball wide and crossing the whitewash to take a 5-0 lead.

Westbury went close to a second try after winning the ball at the ruck again, but this time were denied by a last-gasp tackle that sent the attacker into touch.

If the home side were dominating the breakdown, it was the visitors who had control at the lineouts and when Charlotte Beveridge took a clean catch she released Lozzie Price-Richards who spotted a gap in the Westbury defence and duly powered through to level the scores.

Newbury now began to take control and debutant Chloe Darby was enjoying a memorable first cap, scoring twice in quick succession.

Sophie Bannister made no mistake with both conversions, and Newbury raced into a 24-5 lead.

The visitors then lent some players to bolster Westbury’s depleted ranks – without such a sporting gesture, the game would’ve been unable to continue – and crossed to score three more times before the final whistle as Darby completed a debut hat-trick and Newbury maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign.

Newbury are on the road again this weekend, making the trip to North Bristol and looking to make it four wins in a row.

The club work tirelessly to champion the development of the women’s game and are looking for an under-18 girls coach, please email laurenpricerichards@gmail.com to register interest.