On Sunday 5 November, BSRFC Women’s XV had their first away game of the season against Ampthill Lionesses. After a late start, Stortford won the coin toss, choosing to receive the ball. With a kick straight into the arms of tighthead prop, Ellie-Jayne Cappuccini, Stortford pushed forward, but an unfortunate knock-on led to the first of many scrums this match.

Stortford continued to make good ground, with excellent tackles from both fly-half and captain, Jasmin Bice, and inside centre, Amy Vernon. A quick tap penalty for Stortford, taken by flanker, Christina Radukic, resulted in the first try of the game, with Radukic herself steaming through the opposition to put points on the board.

The restart from Ampthill once again landed straight to Cappuccini, who tore through their defence. The Blues, continuing with some strong work on the attack, were awarded a penalty for a high tackle from the home side which worked its way effortlessly to winger, Lorell Jordan. An unfortunate knock into touch resulted in an Ampthill lineout, but with a beautiful in-air snatch, Stortford regained possession and passed wide to full-back, Harriet Creasy, who shot down the outside to score the second try of the match, taking the score to 0-10 at half time.

The second half continued with the same pace as the first, but with after another Stortford knock-on came an Ampthill scrum. Despite the home side sending in their strongest players, Stortford were able to maintain control in defence and turn the ball over. However, a kick for ground was picked up by the opposition who were able to pass wide to their winger. Regardless of the team’s best efforts to catch her, Ampthill were able to score a try.

The restart saw Ampthill attempt to kick for ground, which was quickly intercepted by outside centre, Eva Radukic, before reaching scrum half, Chloe Capp. With a phenomenal push, Capp powered through their defence in a clear race to the try line before putting the ball between the posts with flair. With a right boot more auspicious than Jonny Wilkinson’s, Cappuccini kicked the conversion right through the posts, sending the crowd into a frenzy and bringing the score to 5-17.

Stortford continued to prove that they were the stronger side, with quick hands and strong attack. Steph Lindsley powered through three defenders simultaneously while staying on her feet, eventually passing out to Morgane Geary-Warne on the wing. Faster than Usain Bolt, she was able to really show off her speed before being taken down. Without even giving Ampthill a second to consider coming in for the ruck, Bice plucked the ball out to gain some ground before passing out to winger, Maja Wabich, who looped around the opposition to score her first try in a Stortford jersey.

With just a few minutes to spare, Stortford used every last bit of energy to shift the ball through hands and entice Ampthill’s defensive line into one place. Taking advantage of the space, Geary-Warne was once again able to sprint down the line, leaving a trail of defenders in her wake, to score Stortford’s fourth try. The game was in its final seconds but Vernon, in her rookie season, didn’t let the pressure of the clock get to her and kicked the ball straight through the posts to convert and end the game at 5-29 to BSRFC Women.