Exeter 0 Barracudas 65
By Frank Stormont
November 15 2006
Ladies get a boost in Exeter after going down to Richmond last week. With 5 tries to Kim Davey and 2 to Anna Shepard.
Plymouth Albion Ladies
Due to a miscalculation the score at Exeter was of fact 65 - 0 and not 60 - 0 as previously advertised.
Plymouth Barracudas had an enjoyable and rewarding trip up the A38 when they took on recently formed Exeter Saracens Ladies side. With an 11 try win the Barracudas remain un beaten this season with players attempting to stake a place in the first team as they take on Thirsk this weekend at Brickfields.
An open game from the outset with both sides making early mistakes but once Albion stopped making handling errors they controlled the game well.
Albion enjoyed lots of possession and it seemed as though each time they took the ball to the Exeter side a scoring opportunity was there and many were taken.
With injuries reducing the Exeter side in the second half Albion reduced their numbers to try and make the match more even but as the game continued the greater level of fitness and experience told and allowed them to pull further away on the score line. Kathy Shaw was also badly injured at the beginning of the half and is likely to be unavailable for selection for some time.
Kim Davey played a fantastic game in the fullback roll and running in 5 of the eleven tries. The 9 - 10 relationship was handled well between Anna Shepard and Sonia Clatworthy. Jodie Wrey played well off loading the ball at the tackle which was the key objective she had for the game and helped her to receive "back of the match". The forward of the match was awarded to the captain for the day Jo Holden putting her body on the line. In any other team in the league she would probably be first choice to start as hooker but Albion have a star in the way of Claire Steer blocking her advancement.
Team: Kim Davey, Barbara Jensen, Jodie Wrey, Sarah Parkin, Verity Waters, Sonia Clatworthy, Anna Shepard, Sue Holden, Jo Holden, Danni Briggs, Kathy Shaw, Lara Smith, Vee Thompson, Jo Richards, Terri Cormack Replacements: Jenny Dyer(used)
Scorers :- Tries 2x Anna Shepard Jenny Dyer 5x Kim Davey Sarah Parkin Terri Cormack Verity Waters Conversions 5x Sonia Clatworthy
Tristan Foster is hoping that he will have lots of selection problems for the Sunday Premiership II match against Thirsk. With players performing well in the Barracudas match and others returning to being available for selection including Beth Simmons and Paula Bennet-Smith both back from Royal Navy duties.
The normal Friday training has been moved to Thursday for one week only to enable players to attend graduations at Marjons. One player last year turned up to training on graduation night with a hoodie on saying that she could not train as she had straightened her hair!
With plans to do some team running, forward plays and first phase work in an attempt to dominate the top team Thirsk on Sunday. Albion have seen that they can at times dominate top teams this season and they know that to do this to they must take them on up front as they have a very strong back line.
Ladies have already started their preparations for Christmas when they launched their annual Christmas draw on Tuesday. Tickets can be obtained from any player or member of the coaching staff. At just £1 per ticket you will stand a chance to win a widescreen TV, mountain bike and other fantastic prizes.
This is one of the sources of funds for the squad that have only limited sponsorship and have to make up the rest of the finances themselves. If you have seen one of their matches for free you will know thay deserve more support, so why not buy a draw ticket or two when you come along to see them on Sunday?