Cardiff Met Ladies v Llandaff North Ladies 09.10.16

By Nia Jones

The October sun was shining as Llandaff North Ladies travelled to Cardiff Met for a highly anticipated local derby. Both teams were looking for the highly prised win to see off the bottom spot on the league table.

Cardiff Met kicked off and from the word go both teams were out to take control of the game.

Conditions were perfect for an open game and everyone was carrying hard but North got the first foothold when Prop Nia Jones crashed over the line from a few meters out. 0-5 to the North.

From the restart, both teams were looking to dominate. Cardiff Met were quickly moving the ball out to their speedy wingers whilst North worked to capitalise on their dominant scrum to give them a good platform. It wasn’t long before North were able turn pressure to points with no 8 Becky Newton crossing the white wash. 0-10 to North.

Met were not to be undone and struck back quickly after the restart. They stole North possession away with a quick tackle jackal before breaking the North defence and cross the line for their first try of the day. 5-10

With some impressive offloading skills on display, and a desire to spread the ball where possible, both sides fought hard for control of the game. However, it was the North Ladies that struck next. A line out in the attacking 22 gave the North forwards opportunity to use their powerful drive. A well executed set-piece carried them over the line, Hooker Beth Kenure securing the grounding. 5-15 to the visitors
With the wind in their sails and a bonus point in their grasp, North were hunting for try number 4. With all squad members looking to carry the ball, a beautifully cut line by No.10 Elin Huxtable saw her slice through the Met defence and drive through the last defender to reach out for the line 5-20 to the visiting team.

A dangerous tackle on Huxtable shortly after her try left one of the Met girls in the bin and saw the end of her contribution to the game. With half time approaching, North put increased pressure on Met and scrum half Amy Day charged down a kick and grounded over the line bringing the half time score 5-25 to the visitors.

The Second half started much as the first ended with a dominant North set-piece. A solid scrum saw North turn the ball over, releasing No 8 Becky Newton who, with some impressive footwork, crossed the line, 5-32 to North.

The Met had failed to make much headway with their kick-offs in the first half due to solid catching and running by Louise Cox, the second half saw them switch it up and kick to the North backs. This change of tack seemed to pay off as after a few phases of play, Met were able to go through the North defence to pick up their second try. 12 – 32

North began to make changes and the replacements all fit in well to keep the set pieces solid. Another powerful driving lineout 10 metres from the Met line cleared enough space for centre Claire Morgan to dive over the line. Newton added the extras to make the score 12 – 39.

Play was a little more frantic as the game progressed but both sides kept up the pressure. Met were the ones to get the last word of the day with a converted try.

Next week North welcome Whitland Ladies to Hailey Park. The whole club wishes Elin Huxtable a speedy recovery from her injury.