Sat 5 Oct 2019, 15:00
Upper Eden travelled to Kirkby Lonsdale for the first fixture of the season in the newly formed Womens Challenge Series (North) League 1.
As expected this was a tough physical encounter from the kick off, the Eagles were soon putting the pressure on the opposition with strong runs by Katie Edgar and Lucy Branthwaite, taking play into the opposition 22, Kirkby Lonsdale defended well but conceded penalties on their own line, the Eagles opted to take a tap penalty and after numerous attempts to cross the goal line it was finally achieved by captain Bianca Cousin, crashing over for the 1st try of the game, Lucy Branthwaite converted.
The home side immediately fought back, pinning the Eagles in their own half but ferocious tackling by back rows Julie Procter and Mary Trimmer managed to stop this onslaught, a strike against the head in the scrum by hooker Imogen Whetton allowed The Eagles to kick down field relieving the pressure. The Eagles maintained the pressure and a break from Branthwaite down the right hand side of the field saw her outpace the defence and score under the posts which she converted. The Eagles maintained the pressure in the 1st half with strong runs by Annabel Dickinson and Alex Robinson but the home side defence held. It was only on the stroke of half time when the home side managed to cross the visitors try line from a sustained attack from the forwards, this left the score at 14-5 to the Eagles.
The 2nd half started in a similar way to the 1st with the sides evenly matched but the Eagles were better in set pieces and often stole the ball in the scrum and lineout, some excellent work by 2 jumper, forwards player of the game Procter who was constant a thorn in the side of the home side. Frustration set in with Kirkby Lonsdale and they gave away a penalty which backs player of the match Branthwaite easily converted. Play remained evenly matched but the Eagles took a blow when Branthwaite had to leave the field with a shoulder injury. The home side made breaks through the centres but cover tackles by full back Tasha Byrne put a halt to this, they did finally manage to break out of their own half and outpace the winger to score a converted try. With only one score in the game the home side pushed hard for another score but the Eagles kept their shape and winger Charlotte Drinkall made some nice breaks into the opposition half gaining valuable field position. The final whistle came bringing to an end a hard fought game. Credit has to go to the whole squad including players making their debut for a tremendous team performance.
Eagles Squad- Lucy Branthwaite, Natasha Byrne, Bethany Capstick, Bianca Cousins, Annabel Dickinson, Charlotte Drinkall, Katie Edgar, Kim Ellwood, Laura Kay, Keeley Morland, Sarah Oakley, Clare Powell, Julie Procter, Alex Robinson, Katy Strong, Lauren Taylor, Rachel Thwaites, Mary Trimmer, Joanna Wilkinson, Lauren Wharton & Imogen Whetton.
