By Tobias Hunt and Haydn Evans
USW Women’s Rugby 1st fell to a disappointing opening day defeat against a strong Southampton University 1st side at the USW Sport Park.
In a game that lacked any real flow due to injuries, the visitors began on the front foot with their forwards carrying powerfully. Their strength paid off when captain Jessica Foote threw an excellent offload to set up winger Abbie Haysom to cross for the score in the corner.
Southampton’s dominance continued throughout the first half, and they were denied a try when Foote was penalised for a double movement in her attempt to cross the try line.
USW responded just before half-time when lock Nina Moore ran a fine angle to break the defensive line and touch down.
The hosts continued their momentum at the start of the second-half with a try from prop Ruby Cox, who took the ball on the 22-metre line and broke three tackles to score an impressive solo effort.
Mark Hutton’s side were on a roll at this point, and took the lead just five minutes later with a score from outside-half and backs coach Jasmine Hare.
Southampton hit back in the final quarter when quick hands from their backs released wing Alex Vijay to dive over in the corner, with Foote adding the conversion.
The south coast side lead by just two points at this stage, and, with the game in the balance, USW were reduced to 14 players when Harriett Braithwaite saw yellow for a high tackle.
Southampton made the most of the extra player with the best move of the match, which resulted in Haysom going in under the posts for her second score of the afternoon.
USW captain Keely Ward was disappointed with her side’s defeat, but insisted that they will take the positives, saying “Our defence was pretty good all the way through”.
Hutton’s side will go in search of their first victory of the campaign when they travel to Gloucester next week, with Ward saying they will be focusing on “set-pieces such as line-outs, backs moves and running lines”.
They will be boosted by the return of centre Jordan Hopkins and flanker Georgia Evans, who were recently named in Rowland Phillips’ Wales squad for the upcoming November series.