PHOTOS:
Alice James looks for a gap
Fiery flanker Natalie Walsh on a charge
Women’s Rugby Super Cup:
Whitland 42 - Pencoed 26
Pencoed arrived at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn with a much changed side from the one that Whitland beat comfortably away from home at the start of the season but the Borderettes were still too strong for their visitors.
The first half was all about attack from both sides, with neither team showing much urgency in defence so there were lots of points scored. First on the score sheet was Rhian McCulloch, who was chosen as ‘Back of the Match’ whilst making her debut for the Borderettes, who was put away on the wing by some slick handling by Alice James and the rest of her backs.
Walsh leads Borderettes’ charge
Straight from the kick off Pencoed showed that their attacks were going to be forward-based and after several powerful drives they crossed for a good try in the corner. But with Pencoed having given a penalty away from the kick off Beca Norris kicked to the corner, and from the resulting catch and drive by Sara Davies and the rest of her pack, the Pencoed defence didn’t pick up ‘Forward Of The Match’ Natalie Walsh. She peeled away to score un-opposed for a good team try.
Walsh was again in action soon afterwards when she read a Pencoed midfield move, intercepted the pass and outstripped the cover defence and went over for her second try of the half.
Pencoed fight back well
But the Borderettes then went to sleep and some very poor defence left the visitors in for two converted tries. Back came the Whitland girls and after a searing break by Walsh, who found No8 Angharad Williams on her shoulder to take the scoring pass before the extras were added by Norris. Just before the break Pencoed broke close to the scrum and scored under the posts for a converted try to stay in contention at the interval.
Harsh words pay dividends
After some harsh words by coach Walsh at half time, the second half was dominated by Whitland. Further tries were added by Sara Medeni Davies, who crashed over from close range, then Williams, who caught the Pencoed defence napping and broke up the blindside to cross for her second. The last score of the day came after scrum half Emma Summons from turned ball over in mid field and then moved it wide to McCulloch, who sprinted away to score wide out.
A special mention must go to Rachel Norris and Cath Morley who put in some massive hits, making sure Pencoed did not add anything to their half time score as Whitland Ladies secured a deserved double.