A HEALTHY support cheered on Stratford Touch Rugby Ladies as they produced a decent performance at their home Super Sunday tournament.
On a rock-hard pitch, the 11-strong Stratford squad made a good start to their pool as tries from Rachel Browne from a 5m stand-off situation and Jessie Darling secured a 2-1 victory over Balsall Coventrians.
Under the captaincy of Bec Charles, Stratford then faced Pershore and were hit on the counter-attack as they lost 2-0 before then going down 3-0 to Bredon.
This put Stratford third in the pool and meant they then faced Old Laurentians and Ledbury in the Bowl.
Against OLs, Stratford played the better rugby and this time were able to convert a chance into a second try of the day for Browne which secured a 1-0 win, but Ledbury then prevailed 1-0 against Stratford in another tight encounter, before OLs went on to beat Ledbury 3-1 to win the Bowl.
Stratford coach Rich Pepperell said: “Our placing was not a fair reflection of our efforts. Every single member worked hard and gave it their all.
“The team all played well, the play looked structured and that is the best defensive team effort I have seen them produce. Our biggest problem was not scoring enough tries, not converting enough of our possession into points.
“Three tries in five games is disappointing and not how the season has gone so far. We need to work on our composure and not try to force moves in the wrong part of the pitch.
“One real positive was that the extra fitness the ladies have been undertaking showed. Our intensity did not drop off all day, despite the heat.”
Stratford’s player of the tournament was Browne. The team now take a summer break from the Midlands Ladies Touch League, with the next tournament on September 9 at Redditch.
