Newbury power to impressive win over Didcot

Newbury Women’s 2nd XV outgunned Didcot 53-0 in their penultimate league game of the season.

They put on an epic display of skill and teamwork, although it was Didcot who started off strongly with a steal of possession at the ruck.

Newbury were able to shut this momentum down as they applied pressure and forced a kick to touch but a penalty against the Blues forced them to defend on their own try line.

From this point Newbury took control of the game with Laura Hewett charging down the pitch to get the Blues into the away 22 and in with a chance of their first points.

The ball was recycled and quickly shipped to the wing where Roisin Winston crossed the line to start to make it 5-0.

The reset saw Nat Bridges punch through the Didcot defence and a move between Vicky Thomas and Catrin Owen continued the momentum, but this was to be short lived as play stopped after a late hit from Didcot at the back of the ruck.

Blues maintained possession at the scrum and River Lewis took three Didcot defenders with her as she crashed through with ball in hand.

Winston’s second try came as Didcot were focussing on pressuring the ruck and left space for the Newbury wingers to exploit.

Fanny Fouin and Ellie Ferrie controlled play in the middle before Winston was released to ground the ball.

Soon after Aimee Clark released the backs and in the mess of a ruck Ferrie was able to score to push Newbury further in the lead.

Blues’ domination continued and tries came from Fouin Lewis and Maisie Litchfield in quick succession.

At the other end, a great last-gasp tackle saw Lucy Warburton prevent what looked like a certain try.

But Blues were soon back on top and Newbury continued to rack up points as Litchfield broke the line again and Hattie Digweed increased the score to 34-0 with her try.

Further tries were run through a tired Didcot defence as Harris and Litchfield both scored and, in the dying stages, Harris crossed again to complete the scoring.