By Jared Parry
IT was probably the friendliest derby match you could hope to see – and University of South Wales 3rds showed their class by beating the fourth team 48-15.
The thirds rushed into an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter with goal-attack Kiera Aitken netting four and goal-shooter Molly Howarth providing the other three.
The fourths then got their first point on the board when goal-attack Yasmin Cady finished off an impressive counter-attack, only for the thirds to put on a spurt up to the end of the first quarter to establish a 13-2 lead.
There were two early goals for the thirds after the restart and while fourths wing defencee Charlotte Holtham intercepted an attack which led to another goal courtesy of Cady, the points kept coming for the thirds who by the halfway stage had pulled away to 22-5.
It was 34-10 going into the final quarter by which stage there were some tired legs in evidence.
Aitken continued to be a nuisance to the fourths, racking up the goals and despite a valiant effort and battling spirit to the very end, the fourths could do little to stem the tide.
The big margin of defeat was indicative of the way the pattern unfolded, but for different reasons both teams can take plenty of positives from this encounter.