The Ealing Jades continue gaining momentum this season with a 21-5 win over Hammersmith & Fulham on Sunday, 6th December.
Playing for once in the sunshine on home pitch, the Jades opened their account with a brilliant try by blindside demon Hazel Griffiths. Within another 10 minutes, captain Liz Garvey crossed again, after the Jades authoritatively marched up the field toward the try line. Both tries were expertly converted by our stand-in fly half Tash Holmes.
Hammemsith fought back probing runs that resulted in a try for themsevles, bringing the game to 14 – 5 with only 25 mins gone. There was truly no lack of excitement in this game!
The remainder of the first half was a hard-fought battle, with quality scrums and rucks from both sides. The Jades first pod in the line-out proved to be a thorn in the opposition’s side, with Hazel Griffiths disrupting many a Hammersmith throw-in, and scrappy hooker Sharon Braddish scrambing to take advantage of the Hazel’s good work.
The first half ended with another Jades try, this time outside centre Tania Oddy grabbing the ball out of the heavens for a quick dash over the line. Welcome back, Tania! We missed your go-forward play.
The second half was a game of territory, with some great tactical kicking out of hand by Tash and Alexia Skipper keeping Hammersmith firmly moored in their half. The Jades forward continued their hard work, with wonderful pick-and-go moves repeatedly from Sharon Braddish, Lindsay Irving and our great 8, Nikky Dent.
No more scores were to be had in the second half, although Hammersmith pushed deep into the Jades 22 in the dying minutes of the game. Some good scrambling kept the opposition at bay, and Tash Holmes hoofed the ball out of play to end the game in a much cherished home win!
Special mention goes to Laura Kelly and Anna Willis who buoyed up the tight five with quality play. This was Laura’s first full game, and we are all pleased to see her show her potential for the full 70 minutes. Anna Willis returns to us after a long absence due to injury. She was sorely missed, and all of us are so pleased to have her back (especially me, who has been temporarily occupying her jersey for some time now!).
Congratulations Jades! All the hard work is paying off!!
