Women’s National Championships East 1 Bury Foxes 28 Southwold Swallows 0 The Bury Foxes shut out the Southwold Swallows, but the score doesn’t reflect the effort and endeavour shown by the visitors to disrupt the ever-improving home side, writes Natalie Palmer.
Although not able to dominate a vibrant set of visiting forwards who were supported by a set of backs with pace to spare, the Foxes were able to enjoy a slight advantage in possession.
And it was therefore no great surprise when full-back Stephanie Durrant created space to cut through the Swallows defence to score.
With centre Danni Lee adding the first of four conversions it was the home team who led 7-0 at half-time.
The second half started in very much the same way the first-half had ended, with the home team on top but with the visitors threatening to do something of significance sometime soon.
Luckily, and due in no small measure to the superb defence of the Foxes, the Swallows became increasingly frustrated with their inability to make progress of any note.
The pressure exerted by the Foxes had a noticeable effect on Southwold, who gradually fell off the pace and succumbed to the relentless tackling of the Bury players, who appeared to be lasting the course somewhat better.
The second score of the game came from period of sustained pressure when scrum-half Georgie Palmer struck to score between the sticks enabling Lee to once again add the extra points.
It was 14-0 to the Foxes and the home side were looking increasingly the more likely to add to the score.
And so it was, as star EJ Stearn decided that the time was hers to run in two quality tries to sew up the match.
She crossed the visitors’ line almost with aplomb, wreaking havoc through the valiant visitors’ ranks.
In the end, this was a solid performance by the Foxes to overcome a hard-working Southwold team.
There was sufficient evidence on the afternoon to expect another close encounter of a similar kind when these two teams meet again in Southwold at the start of 2018.
Next up for the Foxes is a National Cup match at home to Wellingborough this Sunday at 2pm. All support is welcome.
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