Southwold Swallows 20 - Deepings Devils 17
Nov
The Deeping Devil’s who were hoping to continue the success of their last outing, travelled to Southwold.
Though Southwold had previously confirmed a team of fifteen players they were unable to field a full team on the day and the game was played with only twelve aside.
The Deeping Devils had a very disappointing and frustrating game, with an excellent a full team performance and a score line they did not deserve. They dominated possession and within the first 3 minutes, fullback, Gemma Hempstead ran from inside the Devils ‘22’ to score the first try of the match, leaving the Southwold team standing, wondering what had hit them. A feat that was to be repeated on two more occasions but only one of which unfortunately counted! However the one that did and was converted by a fabulous kick from in front of the posts by Gemma Hempstead.
The Devils broke through the gain line with hard running from depth off the consistent distribution of the scrum half. The back row were quick off set pieces allowing superb running from Gemma Hempstead, Leighanne Charity, Emma Farrow, scrum half Sadie Sharman, and Kate Tyler, who unfortunately was brought down just feet from the try line. Clumsy hands of the Southwold winger allowed Leighanne Charity to be fast on the pick up and power her way from just inside the Devils half to score her first try of the season.
Defence was strong throughout the team. A barrage of wonderful tackles from Rachel Cox, Sam Scott-Mance, Captain Monique Nolan and hooker Gemma Waterfall. The whole team kept Southold’s attacks dampened for quite some time following their third try – Hempstead’s second, which she converted, 15 – 17 to the Deeping Ladies.
They held this score until the dying minutes of the game when Southwold attempted to break through a strong Devils ruck inches from the touch line. The controversial try was awarded but it was not clear as there were too many people in the collapsed ruck. However, the Devils saving grace was that the referee thanked them for a very very good game and apologised for not been able to see at times when he needed to!
Every one of the Deeping Devils team, in what ever capacity, can be proud of their fantastic performance, head Coach Angie Charity and Captain Monique Nolan would not want for a better team as their after match debrief described.
