Abbey Women produced arguably the best display of their season so far to seal a bonus-point win over second-placed Thurrock.
In a game which saw the Berkshire outfit maintain their composure in order to bounce back from last week’s disappointing defeat with an assured victory.
It was a game only a few hardy, loyal Abbey supporters attended, but their shouts were the sixteenth player as Abbey raced into a 12-0 lead within the opening quarter.
Early disciplinary infringements from Thurrock afforded Abbey favourable pitch positions, with fly-half Annette Bevan and centre Alice Denton-Rice both kicking well for territory.
Although Thurrock’s defence held firm initially, a superb driving maul eventually released the backs, with the returning Kelsea Montgomery flying over in the corner.
Abbey were so well-organised in defence that Thurrock struggled to leave their half in the opening quarter.
Hooker Claire Stevens was a nuisance at the breakdown and the immense defensive workrate from the flanker pairing of Andi Barker and Maggie Simpson drove back the strong carries from their captain Samantha Willmott and influential centre India Harvey-Jay.
It was the rugby intelligence of Alice Denton-Rice that made the second try; ripping the ball off Thurrock in contact and running it in under the posts from the halfway line to score her team’s second which she duly converted.
Although surprised, Thurrock were not thwarted by Abbey’s early lead and responded well – it was Abbey’s turn for a slip in discipline and this afforded Thurrock the chance to encroach in the home side’s half for the first time all match.
Centre Harvey-Jay read a miscommunication between Jess Gundry and Alice Denton-Rice, breaking enigmatically through the Abbey line, and releasing Hannah Thornhill to score. Moments later, centre Lizell Heather identified some space in behind, and despite Montgomery’s best efforts, Thornhill secured her brace. At half time, it was 12-12 and all to play for.
Despite the comeback, Abbey felt assured and in control. After a focussed halftime briefing, play resumed. Upping the intensity in defence had been a target, and prop Hannah Gale and replacement flanker Tori Kiff did just that; offering some huge hits as Thurrock came out of the blocks early on in the second half hunting the lead.
Time and time again, Abbey repelled their efforts, forcing errors or turning over the ball.
Scrum half Ellie Denton-Rice marshalled the back line well and captain Annabel Hawkins led from the front as always with the intensity of her tackles.
Eventually, Thurrock’s determined aggression in defence saw them turnover the ball at the ruck, exploit the blindside and dot down in the corner, putting them in front for the first time all match.
Abbey were patient and continued to show their dominance on the pitch. The forward pack dominated the scrums, winning balls against the head, and Thurrock’s discipline wavered again with their second-row Smith eventually seeing yellow for repeated infringements.
Abbey capitalised on the player advantage and change their game plan to domineer through kicking; Alice Denton-Rice executed some perfect garryowens, but it was a link-up between Ellie Denton-Rice and Bevan, an extremely lucky bounce, and a footrace underneath the sticks that saw Bevan equal up the score for her team at 19-19.
Still with a player advantage, Abbey knew that victory was within reach.
Winger Jess Williams replaced Hannah Skeels and immediately made an impact with surging runs.
Kiff and Montgomery combined well to drive Abbey back within Thurrock’s half and the home side continued to hammer the line.
Strong carries from Hawkins and prop Jess Potter brough Abbey within inches, but it was yet another solid platform from a driving maul which allowed the backs to showcase their deft hands and get the ball to Williams.
A strong hand off, and an even stronger run saw her cross in the corner, which Alice Denton-Rice converted to nudge the home side back in front 26-19.
The last period was not without final drama. Just before Williams’ wonder-try, after judging Ellie Denton-Rice to have kicked the ball into play after a penalty was awarded, Thurrock’s Heather capitalised on a moment of lull within the game to race forward, and run the ball in.
The try was disallowed yet moments later Abbey were well-placed to grab a fifth, with a superb line break from Gundry and the final pass to Alice Denton-Rice just not quite finding her hands.
In some tense final moments, with a final effort to cross the line, the ball was kicked dead by Bevan and the small but mighty home crowd erupted; Abbey had beaten Thurrock for the first time ever and in their third season of trying.
The celebrations were as much for Abbey’s assured performance as they were for the true meaning of what this victory meant for the team and the club – a real David and Goliath moment.
Abbey will look to carry forward this momentum as thy travel to OA Saints this weekend, before hosting Henley Hawks Women in a Friday night lights local derby match on Friday, March 3.
