Rugby Union: Littleborough Ladies beaten by Derby

Littleborough Rugby Union Club Ladies

Littleborough's Ladies first competitive league game ended in disappointment as they were out-thought and outplayed by a quality Derby outfit.

Heading into the game as underdogs, Littleborough were always up against it given the nine-year experience of the visitors to Rakewood. Littleborough's pink warriors have only one year.

From the first minute, Littleborough found themselves under the cosh as a turnover in the Littleborough 22 meant Derby could break down the blind side and score their first through Katie Mulqueen.

Another swift blind side gave the visitors their second as Ada Lo profited from some slick passing in the midfield to dive down for the try.

Littleborough regained their composure and asserted themselves with line bursts from Sam Plant, Megan Buckley and Paige Travis, but could not find that final pass or were denied well by an organised Derby side.

Littleborough ladies were punished for not taking their chances when winger Jenna Bierton hit open space in midfield and used her speed and change of direction to sprint in and around full back Claire Harrison and covering winger Megan Buckley to score under the posts.

Despite some abrasive strong tackling, Littleborough could not prevent Derby adding to their advantage with tries from Lucy Satchell and a second from Jenna Bierton.

Satchell's try was a powerful finish from just inside the Littleborough half while Jenna scored her second with a close-range burst from four yards.

Derby topped off a good first half performance with a second close range effort, this time Sian Atton the happy beneficiary finishing off a barrage of Derby phases.

At the start of the second half, Littleborough made try saving tackles down the left-hand side before going up the other end and putting their first points of the afternoon on the board.

A number of metre making pick and drives from the base of ruck had Derby back pedalling before Skye Wilson darted over for her first competitive open age try at Rakewood. The try was greeted with the biggest cheer of the afternoon. Claire Harrison slotted home the conversion.

Derby were tiring and this lead to a much closer contest with Littleborough finding their rhythm in both attack and defence.

However, as much as you can keep a team at bay, quality clinical sides will find a way through.

Satchell scored her second try of the afternoon with good pace to outmanoeuvre her opposite number before Derby's sixth different try scorer, Carmel Teager, ran a good support line 20 metres out from Littleborough's try line to dive over in the left corner.