A very blustery Woodnook hosted Kesteven Ladies fourth game of the season on Sunday. The 40 mile an hour winds made life difficult but was certainly insufficient to dampen the spirit of both sides in a thoroughly entertaining match in front of a couple of hundred eager spectators.

Matlock started the game strongly maintaining possession in the early minutes but were forced into spilling the early by some huge tackles from Kesteven’s back row – Katie Lay in particular defying the laws of physics to knock back far larger players.

The home side took full advantage and pressured the Matlock line allowing Kerri Arlando to dodge the defence and touch down for the opening score. Kicker Ami Boneham confidently slotted the conversion.

In the very next passage of play disaster struck as Captain Sarah Jane Goss found herself under a pile of bodies going to the try line and tweaked her knee to end her involvement in the game. The unfortunate loss only strengthened the Kesteven forwards resolve and in a blistering 15 minute period they crossed the line 4 further times with Lauren Smith, Katie Lay and a brace from Natasha Williams pushing the half time score to 27 – 0.

Despite the wind, Kesteven’s backs continued to move the ball with Ami Boneham and Catherine Dickinson’s pinpoint passing allowing room for the wingers to challenge their opponents.

Having leant the Matlock side a number of players throughout the match Tilly Hall found herself in the rather uncomfortable position of finding space on her wing carrying not only the ball but doing so wearing a Matlock shirt!! Huge cheers rang out as Tilly sprinted clear to provide the visitors with a well deserved score.

Kesteven renewed their first half form with some storming runs from Hooker Ceri Wright, 2nd Row Jessica Taylor and debutant Beth Toone. Once Kesteven lifted their game and Tabby Hall crashed over for a further score.

The final moments of the game brought the day’s finest team move with backs and forwards combining beautifully to leave room for Till Hall’s second try of the game and this time she was wearing the famous black shirt.

Late pressure on the Kesteven line was halted by fullback Jo Mortimer, with a try saving tackle, and the final whistle brought a combination of relief and joy as The Black Army’s Ladies side completed their first home win – 27 players have rarely worked so hard for their well deserved victory.

Squad - Megan Alderton, Jo Arden, Kerri Arlando, Emma Austen , Amy Beaumont, Ami-Clair Boneham, Cheryl Carl , Catherine Dickinson , Hannah Dolby, Kelly Foster, Sarah Jane Goss , Tabby Hall, Tilly Hall, Ruth Holmes, Vicky Hunt, Gwen James, Tamzin Keenlyside, Katie Lay, Rhia McBride, Jo Mortimer, Katie Russell, Ella Tapson, Jessica Taylor, Beth Toone, Natasha Williams, Ceri Wright.