From the outset we knew that this Women’s Rugby Semi-Final was going to be tight and tense affair, as both teams were going into this fixture having had excellent seasons respectively. Bristol, having already secured their league title, strolled onto the field with the sort of confidence and swagger only champions can get away with. Birmingham, on the other hand, have not quite inscribed their name on the their league trophy but sit in pole position to just that.
Unsurprisingly, the two teams seemed equally matched in the opening phases of the game, with neither making it into the other’s final-third. The majority of the game was played in the middle of the park with both defences appearing to be impregnable.
Birmingham, however, have looked nothing short of imperious this season and their quality was there for all to see under the watchful eye of Old Joe. The first real spark of quality came from Heather Cowell who collected the ball from her own 22 line and had the endurance and ability to avoid the desperate tackles from the ailing Bristol defenders, before turning on the afterburners to run the length of the pitch for the first try of the game.
It appeared that Bristol had lost their composure, as mere minutes after Cowell’s try, Sophie Jackson was diving over the try line for Birmingham’s second try of the game. The try came after a Bristol mistake in their own 22, which gifted Birmingham a healthy lead.
However, Bristol regrouped and came back fighting, showing the travelling fans why they have had hitherto such a successful season. Birmingham’s resolute defence looked more than capable in keeping the ever-increasing Bristol at arms length. Birmingham’s determination was perhaps best shown by Zoe Bennion’s last-ditch try-saving tackle when Bristol looked sure they would score. However, an uncharacteristic brief lapse of concentration, less so complacency, allowed Bristol to pounce on a failed clearance to score, and get themselves right back in the game.
Birmingham, however, were not particularly phased by this and went about reasserting their previous game plan of high pressure and big hits. Zoe Bennion secured Birmingham their third try of the first half after a series of world-class offloads was able to penetrate the helpless Bristol defence, to give Birmingham ten point lead going into half time. The half time score read 15-5 to the Lions.
Special mention must go to Heather Cowell and Sharifa Clarke, who are both blessed with an extraordinary amount of pace. Numerous times in the first and second half they were required to cover a lot of ground and then make try-saving tackles to keep the Bristol attack at bay.
The second half saw Bristol come out of the blocks with real vengeance and determination. It was abundantly clear that Bristol wanted to book their place in the Final and were not going to go down without fighting. Heather Cowell’s impressive performance was capped off with another excellent try. Heather Cowell collected a long punt from Bristol and raced past three despairing Bristol defenders to score Birmingham’s fourth try of the game and put the game well and truly past Bristol.
As a result a jubilant Birmingham celebrated, at the full time whistle, booking their place in the BUCS final next week, with the final score making happy reading of 22-10 to Birmingham. Despite Bristol having the lion’s share of possession, it was Birmingham who showed their clinical touch and as a result they came out on top. The real test for Birmingham, however, lies next week in the final and if they continue to perform to such a high standard as they have done all this season, they stand a very good chance of winning.
Patrick Herbert
