Upper Eden Eagles secured the double over a determined Oldham team as they earned a 48-19 win.
To add to the victory the Eagles had the special news that England Rugby had identified the Eagles as Team of the Month for March.
The 12 o’clock kick-off at Oldham’s Manor Park ground meant an early start for the Eagles who took a while to find their form, with Oldham dominating large parts of the first half.
After a minute’s silence for University of West England rugby player Maddy Lawrence, Eagles received the kick-off.
Oldham were out to avenge a 43-5 loss to Upper Eden the previous month and quickly made their mark with a converted try.
A big tackle and turnover by captain Julie Proctor at the restart, helped the Eagles regain possession.
The forwards then fed the ball to winger Annabel Dickinson who showed excellent pace, evading Oldham’s defence to score under the posts. Lucy Branthwaite converted.
Oldham then regained the ball from the restart, only for it to be turned over by Branthwaite who broke the defence line. She fed the ball to inside centre Helena Scullion who made a sweeping run to score Eden’s second try.
Oldham’s strong forward pack retaliated with a second try of their own, and at half-time it was anyone’s game at 14-12.
It had been a confident first-half performance from the hosts but the Eagles responded quickly at the start of the second-half.
Flanker Mary Trimmer produced an excellent turnover at the breakdown, allowing the ball to be fed down the backs to Scullion, who bounded through the opposition to score her second try.
An Oldham line-out on the hosts’ 22 metre line was won by Upper Eden, and the ball was moved swiftly along the line to full-back Chloe Collinson, who used her speed to score Eden’s fourth try. Branthwaite converted to open up a ten point lead.
The Eagles were now dominating the game, and a quick turnover in the oppositions half allowed Branthwaite to make a break and find scrum half Lauren Taylor who made a further break to score under the posts for Branthwaite to convert.
Oldham answered with an unconverted try but generally they were frustrated and pinned in their own half.
The Eagles were firmly focused, ‘back on the horse’ and playing good rugby.
Trimmer gathered the ball from the back of a maul and fed to Taylor, who saw a gap on the blindside and made her second break to score in the corner.
Branthwaite put over an outstanding kick from the touchline to convert, earning much applause from the spectators.
In a final foray Upper Eden picked-up the ball from the restart and Branthwaite made a solo run to outpace the defence and score under the posts. She added the conversion as the final whistle blew.
The Eagles were heavily tested against a determined Oldham side but did not allow a slow start to ruffle their feathers.
They displayed great character and composure to eventually dominate strong opposition and earn a clear win.
This was Eden’s fourth consecutive victory, leading England Rugby to identify the Eagles as ‘Team of the Month’ for March, picked according to match card statistics, with Red Roses prop Maud Muir sending the team a note of congratulations.
Forward of the Match – Mary Trimmer
Back of the Match – Lauren Taylor
Opposition pick – Lucy Branthwaite
Upper Eden Eagles last game of the season is at home against Winnington Park Ladies this Sunday.
