There is an old Chinese proverb which says,” To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping” and for the past 12 months, this ladies side has been leaving some solid footprints along the way.
By Steve Tiernan
After a good pre-season and having had the disappointment of the first game against Garstang being rearranged, Hoppers couldn’t wait to face their next opponents Carlisle, eventually running out convincing winners 62-10.
Before the game, changing room 1 was prepped and the shirts for this season hung out for each player, with a reminder that not only have they been well earned, but that others within the squad are working hard to take it from them. With that message ingrained on the mind Hoppers took to the field and started the game at a frantic pace, conceding some good possession through simple errors however, 10 mins later the deadlock was broken and nerves soon settled with a try from No 8 Maggie Forbes. With the following conversion kicked short, Hoppers led 5-0. The remaining 15 minutes brought further tries from Winger Christina Tully, returning from duty with England Deaf and Full Back Alison Taberner who provided successful conversions to bring the score to 32-0 with 15 minutes to go to half time. On the 30 minute Mark, Scrum Half, Kate McMullan went down after a heavy tackle on the Carlisle 5m line and the game had to be stopped to allow treatment. With the injury presenting as more of a concern than first thought, the game was moved to Pitch 2 to allow time for treatment to continue and the Ambulance to arrive.
With both teams agreeing to continue with the 10 mins of the 1st half, the game restarted and Hoppers soon increased the score with another from Maggie Forbes and Centre Sarah Lovejoy. Hoppers continued to dominate into the second half with further tries from Alison Taberner and Christina Tully. Carlisle responded with two unconverted tries running through some sleeping defence however, this seemed to refocus the home side who replied with two further tries from Tully and Taberner, bringing the final score to 62-10. Special mention must go to newcomer Dawn Jones who having never played rugby before, impressed on the wing performing like a seasoned player.
In summary, Hoppers Ladies finished with a convincing win against Carlisle, a team that dropped down with them last season. Hoppers now sit 2nd in the league with a game in hand and the squad look forward to hosting neighbours Garstang in the rearranged fixture this coming Sunday (1st October).
Finally, our best wishes go to Kate McMullan who not only impressed at scrum half, but scored one of the best ‘disallowed’ tries seen on a rugby pitch just before she was taken off injured. We hope she recovers quickly and is back in a Hoppers shirt soon.
Up the Hoppers!
Hoppers Staring XV: Becky Brown, Kelly Singleton, Sarah Boaler, Helen Blackburn, Michelle Christy, Natasha Rose, Hayley Ciot, Maggie Forbes, Kate McMullan, Kady Hall ©, Christina Tully, Mollie Paling, Sarah Lovejoy, Dawn Jones, Alison Taberner
Game Changers: Ruth Yates, Steph Gray, Kira Baines-Hope, Sophie Williamson, Charley Brunton, Klaudia Magdalena Rzepecka.
Forward of the Game: Maggie Forbes
Back of the Game: Christina Tully
