RICHMOND are without doubt the top women’s club in the country, the only club that can field three teams week in week out.
For the second season in a row in their home fixture, the T-Birds just brushed the Second XV aside almost without breaking sweat and while scoring 11 trys and demonstrated that they should be playing at the top level against Richmond 1st XV.
The T-Birds only played at full pace in this fixture for a total of about 35 minutes, but in that time ran Richmond absolutely ragged
Playing with some verve and panache in their Total Rugby style, the T-Birds scored 4 trys in the first 15 minutes to end this game as a meaningful contest. Physical at the breakdown and fast out wide Richmond had no answers.
As happens too often Ts were then guilty of overplaying. A touch of white line fever, everyone wanting to score and a lack of concentration allowed Richmond to regroup.
Suddenly losing their own throw a the lineout and a giving away a series of penalties, Ts allowed Richmond to threaten the line and only a knock in the act of scoring cost Richmond a try.
Waking up briefly and firing on all cylinders, Ts promptly went the length of the pitch in just over a minute and Rachael French crashed through the defence to claim the 5th try and secure the bonus point with the last play of the half for 31-0.
Ts came out for the second half with all guns blazing and put together one of the Purple Patches that they are becoming justly famous for.
5 trys in 19 minutes killed the game off completely with Francis completing her hat trick and Lalla Vazi and Emily Scott both claiming a brace.
At 69-0 Ts emptied the bench and as often happens lost the fluidity of their teamwork.
Far too casual in defence the penalty count rose and at one point yellow cards brought Ts down to 13!!
This allowed Richmond to claim a consolation try in the last play of the game. 69-5.
With other results going their way and now 25 points clear with 3 games still to go, this win secured the League title of Championship One South for the second season running and the 3rd time in 4 years.
Now the T-Birds have to wait for the result of Championship One North to find out who their opponents will be in the first playoff on February 22nd where they will play for the right to face the bottom team in the Premiership.
Team: Corales, Francis (3T), Harris (T), Nojoko (T, 7C) , Harvey, Scott (2T), Cook, Micallef, Nichols, Mountjoy, Jordan. F, French (T), Hepper, Vazi (2T), Phelps (T). Rep: Baker, Turp,
The T-Birds are away to Saracens on Sunday 21st December.
Next home fixture at Oakfield is against Bristol on 11th January. KO expected to be 2.00pm. Keep an eye on the website for updates
As always, Thurrock Ladies, the T-Birds welcome new players of any standard to their 2 teams.
The 2nd XV is growing weekly and now has its own dedicated Coaching and Management team. Many are beginners, playing in their first Season, so don’t be put off if you are new to the game.
We can promise you great training and a great social life. Just turn up on a Wednesday evening at 7.30.
