Victory in the Valley for new-look Ashfield Ladies RUFC

Taking on non-league opposition, Ashfield saw the game as an ideal opportunity to blood some new players, including Amanda Bingley, who made her debut, and to try some experienced players in fresh positions.

It all worked out well as they battled to a 12-5 win to launch the preparations for their last league game of the season at Derby on Sunday, March 20 when they know that victory will clinch the Women’s Midlands 2 North title in the National League.

Stand-in captain for the day and players’ player-of-the-match, number eight Chip Harrison, led from the front as Ashfield made a strong start, pinning Valley in their own half. Ellis Thorpe, playing at scrum-half for the first time, dealt with pressure from the opposition nine and distributed the ball to both forwards, as well as Grace Wright at fly-half.

As a result, Ashfield slowly gained confidence and put several phases of play together that led to Harry Gibbs, at inside centre, using the same footwork that has made her so successful at full-back and scoring in the left-hand corner.

The visitors continued to have the better of the game but, on a muddy pitch, they gave away penalties, one of which resulted in an equalising try from Valley.

The rest of the game became scrappy before Ashfield restored their lead with another try. This time, Vicky Fegan picked the ball up from the base of a ruck on the halfway-line and a nifty sidestep took her past the defence before she ran in under the posts.

Players tired in the closing stages, with both sides conceding penalties. But Ashfield still produced some promising moves, and Fegan went close to her second try after a searing 30-metre run down the wing.