Whitewash win for Ashfield Ladies ahead of crunch match for title

That was rampant Ashfield Ladies, who whitewashed Scunthorpe Ladies 22-0 to stay top of the table in the Women’s Midlands 2 North division with two games left, four points ahead of Lincoln Ladies, whom they play in a crunch fixture this coming Sunday.

The game started frenetically as both teams looked to exert their dominance. Ashfield were able to keep territorial advantage but failed to make an early breakthrough because they were let down by handling errors made when under pressure from Scunthorpe.

Oncethe sides had settled down, Ashfield began to take control, with forwards Shannon Poxon, Danii Booth and the coach’s player-of-the-match Leanne Reeves quick to support their teammates, tackling and rucking.

The hosts’ pressure eventually meant the ball got out to Jess Cranmer, hungry to score on the left-wing, and she continued her excellent run of form by putting the ball over in the corner.

Scunthorpe lacked attacking options once they realised their fast, strong centre was no match for the Ashfield 12, Lauren Dearing, who put a tackle in early in the game that showed the visiting backs what they were up against.

Ashfield continued to pressurise throughout the rest of the first half and grew in confidence. Cranmer crossed the line again to score their second try down the left after numerous phases of play which saw the ball travel the width of the pitch.

The home side added a third try to extend the lead to 17-0 by half-time when prop Reeves took the ball on from a quick penalty and, with two Scunthorpe players hanging off her, she managed to get the ball down.

In the second period, the flow of play continued where it had left off with Ashfield having far more possession and territory, Scunthorpe did not get into the Ashfield half at all, and credit should go to the forwards’ coaches, Mandy Taylor and Dickie Dawson, because it was obvious the locals had been working hard on set-pieces in training.

Vicky Fegan, jumping at the front of the lineout, made sure Ashfield balls were kept safe and got in front of the Scunthorpe jumper to disrupt their ball. Meanwhile the Ashfield scrum, which had been a weakness earlier in the season, dominated the vicitors’ scrum, pushing them back every time.

Scunthorpe began to get frustrated and allowed ill discipline to get the better of them. Yellow cards were given to both sides, but Ashfield capitalised best as Ellis Thorpe scored her first try down the right-wing to complete the victory.

It was another fine performance by Ashfield, who are now full of confidence ahead of this Sunday’s trip to Lincoln. Victory is vital because Lincoln also have a game in hand.