An impressive display of rugby at Pennine Park enabled Upper Eden Eagles to secure their biggest win of the season against Bury Ladies.
It finished 85-7 to the home side and was ample revenge after losing at Bury in December.
The hosts quickly asserted their dominance, when the opposition kick to the Eagles was swiftly taken into contact by the forwards, drawing the defence in.
Some quick hands to the back then set-up fullback Josie Scrimgour for a sweeping run around the defence from the halfway line to score under the posts.
This was converted by fly-half Lucy Branthwaite to give the Eagles their 7-0 lead inside five minutes.
This positive start was a sign of things to come, with the hosts forwards matching their bigger opponents in the set piece and being extremely effective when moving the ball wide.
This created good space for the backs to feed the ball to Scrimgour, who showed her pace, cruising past the opposition to score a further three tries with Branthwaite converting all, to establish a 28-0 lead at half-time.
Not resting on their laurels, another passage of quick hands down the pitch in the second half helped the ball reach winger Rachel Dyke, who powered through the opposition and over the line to score her first ever try, with three Bury players hanging on.
A spirited Bury side restarted and found their feet, gathering the ball to score and convert what would be their only try of the game.
The Eagles responded quickly, with inside centre Helena Scullion making a strong break to score under the posts, and Branthwaite converted.
The game then went to uncontested scrums due to the opposition losing players through injury, but this made no real difference to the game, as the writing was already on the wall for the visitors.
A seventh try came from number eight Lucy Hogg, who broke the defence line to score in the corner.
More quick hands to outside centre Breanne Kelso allowed her to swoop over the line for try number eight.
A pass from Kelso helped Scullion feed forward Mary Trimmer who off-loaded to Scrimgour.
She made a break to score under the posts and it was again converted by Branthwaite.
Scrimgour wasn’t finished yet, and bagged a double hat-trick following a switch pass with Scullion in front of the sticks, which was again converted by Branthwaite.
After the restart, Kelso drew the defence and fed a superb pass to flanker Nina Smith, who broke through the line to score the Eagles eleventh try of the game. Branthwaite converted.
A decisive move from skipper Julie Proctor added another try to the tally, with Smith scoring her second of the game shortly before the whistle blew. Both tries were converted by Branthwaite.
The Eagles defence was strong throughout with Lucy Hogg, Julie Proctor, Nina Smith and Laura Kay all making good ground and executing good solid tackling.
This was a skilful performance by the Eagles who combined strong scrummaging, powerful tackles and some excellent straight running from the forwards, with accurate and quick ball handling in the backs, to produce an outstanding result.
Forward of the Match – Laura Kay
Back of the Match – Helena Scullion
Opposition’s choice as Eagles player of the match – Josie Scrimgour
Match sponsor was K&M Hogg
The Eagles next game is away against Oldham on Saturday, April 2.
