Teams 
Before you read too much into this match report; let’s highlight that this game was nothing by any means anything but a war of thumping tackles, hard rucking, and impressive passes.. With some silly mistakes.
Bideford made it very known in this game that no matter what, they were in it to fight for everything.
Our ladies kicked off and Bideford chased hard but a few missed tackles allowed Topsham room to make ground.
Bideford showed the same dominant display throughout the game up front which allowed for a turn over. They jumped off the mark very quick, which with some solid runs and good hands, eventually saw prolific try scorer Ruth Boundy (who ran some fantastic lines all game!) cut through the Topsham defence to dot down.
Bideford then set a trend of some of the worst kick off structure they’ve ever played. They allowed the ball to not be utilised until it went into touch. A Topsham lineout on the Bideford try line led to some tough runs, and then after their first try was held up, Topsham barrelled through the Bideford defence. Daisy O’Donovan charged down the conversion.
For the whole game, Hannah Lovering-Bright stepped in at 10, and had the Topsham 10 exactly where she wanted her. Bideford showed some hard tackling whilst pinned back on their 22, then managed to turn over the ball which was shipped to Sarah Taylor-Salkeld who ran through the Topsham team to dot it down.
Again the kick off from Bideford was terribly fielded and allowed Topsham in again to pressure a Bideford defence who wanted to fight in every ruck and scrum.
Topsham spun the ball wide for a try. Charged down by Hannah Lovering-Bright.
A lot of this match was back and forwards in terms of ball being batted about. Louise Cook made sure she was known before she came off the pitch, charging straight through the middle of the Topsham defence before looking startled at the open field and amount of yards made! Louise then executed the perfect offload to Chloe Roissetter who was next over the line. A second successful conversion was made by Mollie Osment.
The tide had turned, with Bideford dominating the exchanges upfront and playing good wide rugby allowing Amber Hallman to pick and go off a ruck and feed scrum half Tessa Cleave through for a try. Converted by Amber.
You’d be wrong to think Topsham were done. They found a second wind, and with that Bideford were on the attack. A dubious knock on from a Bideford player allowed Topsham to fly free, chased the whole way by Steph Senger who was determined to not let them have it, but this Topsham try set them just 1 point ahead. The conversion was made.
6 minutes left.
Absolutely everything was being thrown at Topsham, who were doing everything to survive. A couple of lone runs allowed Topsham to turn over! Bideford were on the counter, rucking with Ruth Boundy and Chloe Spearman using everything they had left to fly body and soul through each ruck they faced.
To quote the Topsham coach, “Bideford are not going to stop.. They are relentless!”
Topsham retained the ball until the final whistle.
Bideford head coach Jason Gubb had this to say: “Ignoring the kick offs from Topsham, we won the conflicts all over the pitch and it made me happy to finally see some fire through the whole team. We wanted that, and it showed! Just little things to work on but this team is finally showing what they are capable of. Knowing Topsham, I imagine the return will be something much the same.
Mentions go to Amber and Sarah, their turn overs in the rucks was pivotal to possession.
Everyone played out there skins! Helston next week, let’s see what we can do.”
Thank you to Topsham for hosting us. Have a fantastic season, and we look forward to seeing you again for our last game of the season on April 6th 2025.
