In a majestic display of running rugby the Iceni got their best result ever against their visitors nicknamed the Lakes; the ladies in black scored 16 unanswered tries, 11 of which were successfully converted by flanker Katie Gemal. This is a great boost for their morale ahead of their Papa John semi-final next Sunday, 13th April at Raven Park-KO @ 2:00p.m.

Centre Zoe Goate scored in the first minute after the visitors kicked off starting a procession of tries scored almost every 5 minutes in the first half. Indeed fleet footed Zoe’s total was 5 tries by half time. She scored the first 4, then fullback Jade Baker finished a fine handling move to touch down for the 5th, only for Zoe to score again.

The first half was wrapped up in fine style when, following the Lakes’ restart, Katie caught the ball, it was moved right to left wing Kiera Chittendon who tore through the defence before returning it to Katie who scored and converted a fine try.

As the Iceni were 54-0 ahead at halftime coaches Danny Whiteman and Corey Button decided to bring all 5 of the substitutes off the bench to give the whole squad game time.
In the second half the Lakes raised their game and attacked the Iceni defence several times but the Blacks’ tackling stopped them in their tracks. Often the Iceni turned over Lakes’ ball in the rucks and mauls; they recycled the ball efficiently thanks in no small part to ‘birthday girl’ scrum half Jess Brennan and also the fact that they are all were well coached so that when they were tackled, they would go to ground and lay back the ball on their side so that the attacks could continue.

Ten minutes into the second half the ball was quickly moved right to winger Beth Philpott who scorched through the opposition to score a great try. The Iceni had their tails up and this began another series of scores as the Lakes ladies tired from all the defending they were having to do. Emma Goate got her second try, then flanker Kat Richardson finished a forwards move to claim another. The icing on the cake happened next; substitute Gracie Besant flew down her wing no less than 3 times to score a well taken hat trick taking the score to a magnificent 90-0 .The last 2 tries were claimed by centre Lucy Phillpot and prop Beth Watts much to their delight and the rest of the girls.

There were 3 awards after this fantastic victory but, as the coaches said, everybody played their hearts out. The Under the Radar award went to lock Danisha Rajoo, the Player of the Game award went to Zoe Goate and the Lumberjack award went to Katie Gemal.
Please support the Iceni in their semi-final match next Sunday at Colchester RFC, KO at 2pm.