The inaugural Samantha Jones Invitational Match saw Casuals Women’s XV take on a determined Loughborough Students side in front of a large crowd at home, rounding off a special day of celebrations and fundraising for Breast Friends Northamptonshire.

Casuals started brightly with Emily Couchman making strong incursions in attack. Loughborough held up in defence well, but gradually the home side crept towards the try line with sustained pressure. A quick take from a penalty saw centre Kath Middleditch open the scoring but it wasn’t long before Loughborough sliced through the Casuals defence to reply with a try of their own.

Dominant in the scrums, Casuals kept the pressure on the student team and managed the breakdown well, ensuring quick ball and continued momentum. It was Emily Couchman who scored next, with a pick up off the back of a scrum and a typically powerful driving run to get over the line. Couchman quickly added another try under the posts, duly converted by scrum half Jennah Rylander.

Loughborough opened up their game with some silky moves taking them up field and testing Casual’s backline defence. A canny quick penalty take from the 22 saw them speed over to add their second try - taking the half time score to 17-10.

The second half was full of drama with the lead changing hands multiple times and Loughborough leaning into their speed. Sarah Smith at back row made metres every time she got the ball in hand, with one effort taking Casuals half way up the pitch. Casuals kept the pressure on and crept towards the tryline with good carries from Olivia Parry and Ruby Tarbotton, and it was a pass on the short side that led to Middleditch scoring again out wide. Only a few metres out from scoring again, Casuals lost the ball at the breakdown and the away side took advantage of a scattered defence, running in a long range try.

Maggie Gibbins was next to make inroads finding gaps in the defence and taking Casuals up the pitch, duly supported by centre Kim Todd and second row Justine Kingston. The breakdowns were secure and it wasn’t long before Middleditch found a gap to score her hat trick. Rylander added the extras and Casuals were in front again - just.

Loughborough were swift to come back into it, putting on pressure from the restart and securing possession. Their pack carried well and eventually the away team punched through again to score and convert - the scoreboard now 29-34 in their favour.

With the clock ticking and the crowd behind them, the pressure was on the home side to rise to the occasion and that they did - some aggressive defence with Loughborough pinned on their own line saw a ball fumbled and Sarah Smith take advantage to touch it down. Jennah Rylander’s conversion took Casuals to 36-34. With a minute left on the clock and everyone holding their breath, a skewed kick from Loughborough brought the game to an end and the celebrations for Casuals began.

Securing the win, Casuals captain Carys Wellicome was presented with the Samantha Jones Invitational Match trophy at the pitch side by Terry Sparrow, Fiona and Russ. A big thank you to Loughborough Students for coming to Northampton and creating a fantastic spectacle of women's rugby on International Women's Day.

We are grateful to the match sponsor CLEAN linen and workwear for their wonderful support!

Forward of the match: Sarah Smith
Back of the match: Maggie Gibbins
Sponsors player of the match: Kath Middleditch