Rugby Union: Bangor Uni students show steel in Sheffield with opening day win in new higher division

Sheffield Hallam 7 Bangor University Women’s Rugby 29

Life in BUCS Northern 2A began in great style for promoted Bangor University as they notched five tries in a convincing opening day win at Sheffield Hallam.

The 2021/22 BUCS Northern 3A champions and Varsity winners had Australian sporting all-rounder Stevie Donougher making her debut, the return of popular now club captain Eloise Kirby and new team skipper Abi Cousins out to make a mark.

On a windy day in South Yorkshire, Bangor started strong, running firm lines and maintaining possession well.

From the off the ball travelled well across the pitch, offloads from Abi Coleman and Ellie Twiggs spreading it wide.

Forwards and backs alike were getting hands on the ball, and making yards before Holly Aitchison saw her chance, slipping through a barely there gap and sprinting half the pitch to dot down for the first try.

Bangor continued this positive play, hard hits across the board putting pressure on the home side, and the dominant forwards scrum pushing the opposition off the ball on both theirs and the visitors’ put in.

Conceding a few penalties, it looked like Sheffield were on the front foot, but an isolated runner from a quick tap penalty gave a chance for a turnover, putting the ball into Aitchison’s hands once again.

Running even further this time, Aitchison put her name on the scoreboard with a second try.

Sheffield were far from beaten, and with fast ball at the ruck, and a barrage of heavy carries they persevered through and managed to take the ball over the line for a try of their own, adding the conversion.

Once again Bangor set off on a hard defensive slog, flanker duo Bea O’Neill and Jesse Lewis smashing players back left right and centre.

Again, Bangor’s discipline led to penalties for Sheffield but another isolated runner found themselves on the wrong side of Mali Edwards, who swiped the ball and tipped onto Kate Davies, who slipped tackles and made her own sprint for the try line, effortlessly beating defenders to score the third Bangor try of the game.

With mere minutes left of the half, Bangor still fancied another try, so set about carrying hard in the middle of the field.

With this opening up gaps, winger Donougher needed no further invitation, sprinting past the opposition to score under the posts on her debut, conversion added by Kate Davies.

HALF-TIME: Hallam 7 Bangor 22

For the second half, Bangor were kicking off, with a strong chase and powerful tackles and rucks threatening Sheffield.

The play was loose and open, possession changing from side to side, and hard hits coming in from the opposition leaving Bangor having to react and clean up messy ball.

One floating pass saw centre Kirby scoop the ball in midair, intercepting with the opposition powerless to stop her try. With Davies adding the conversion,that was the end of the scoring.

FULL-TIME: Hallam 7 Bangor 29

SCORERS

Tries: Holly Aitchison (2), Kate Davies, Stevie Donougher, Eloise Kirby
Conversions: Kate Davies (2).

CELEBRATION DANCE OF THE DAY?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, do the Hallam Shuffle 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Yeah, yeah, yeah, do the Hallam Shuffle 🎼🎼🎼🎼

BANGOR UNIVERSITY LINE-UP

STARTERS
1 Abi Coleman
2 Mia Knight
3 Ellie Twiggs
4 Tash P-J
5 Abi Jefferey
6 Bea O’Neill
7 Jesse Lewis
8 Mali Edwards
9 Efa Williams
10 Abi Cousins
11 Misato Fukui
12 Kate Davies
13 Eloise Kirby
14 Stevie Donoguher
15 Holly Aitchison
IMPACT PLAYERS
16 Megan Crosby
17 Wiktoria Burek
18 Sally Dean
19 Erica Mullins
20 Erin Allen
21 Bethany Davies
22 Eren Richardson