Marlow Ladies kicked off in heavy rain and handling errors were inevitable Jodie broke down the left wing and the Dames were encamped in Marlow’s 22 for 10 minutes. Several attempts to score came close, but, at a knock-on scrum, the Marlow 8 picked up, swatted off tackle attempts and charged up to the Dames red zone. An excellent tackle by Manon, but the 10 used the gathering defense to score under the posts. The Dames forwards tried pick-and go, but were penalised for rolling in the tackle, quick tap and pass out to the left wing and Marlow scored in the corner.

The rain stopped and good passing through the backs, with an inside pass put Manon over in the corner. A great charge by Ruby from the restart, supported closely by Hannah, again through the backs and inside to Manon again. Beth converted for 12 all. Another charge by the forwards looked like a score, adjudged a ‘wedge’, or ‘choo choo train’ as Mickey put it, and the Marlow 10 broke from the ensuing scrum to score under the posts. She repeated the score, picking up a dropped Dames pass. Both conversions failed. The Dames came back with Ruby 'Dallaglio’ charges from the back of scrums, sister Lilly taking one up to Marlow’s red zone, but play was stopped for an injury. The Dames battered away at the try line. Beth went over in the corner, only for David to judge touch in-goal, then held up, finally knocked on over the line. All this pressure was in vain, as 5 penalties on the trot, including a yellow card, sent the Dames on the retreat.

A clean break by the Marlow 10 under the posts with an easy conversion, put the Dames 3 scores behind. Their heads did not go down. With a now dry ball, they came back with excellent teamwork. Emma produced the break, but the pass to Siobhan adjudged forward, Jess charged and finally Jodie rounded the defense out wide. More pressure, the Dames producing more excellent inter-passing, the crowd screaming and then Jodie scored another. Unfortunately, both conversions failed. 7 points behind and the way the Dames were playing, a draw looked on the cards. A bit of over eagerness and time was blown.

The Dames should have won this match, their set pieces were faultless, but the Marlow 10 was clearly a class above the rest and the high penalty count against the Dames stunted their play. A bonus point was meagre consolation for mostly excellent teamwork.

WINDSOR RFC Dames PLAYER OF THE MATCH Sponsored by Vansittart Arms Windsor : Jodie Cain
The award was earned for her two tries and cracking work in both attack and defence.
https://www.vansittartarmswindsor.co.uk/

Syd Allen WINDSOR RFC Dames Reporter