First game of the season against a very a formidable opponent.
Ryton were quick out of the starting blocks and some heavy tackling from the older 15s caused issues for the away side. Captain Erin middlemass was injured in one of the very first tackles she made and when she was forced from the field of play Houghtons structure went with her.
After ryton scored the first points of the afternoon Houghton blindside was also forced from the field of play leaving Houghton playing with 14 for the rest of the game.

Ryton dominated the first third with their offloading game making serious inroads in the Houghton defence. They crossed the whitewash on numerous times.

Come the 2nd third and after having a chat the girls pulled strength from somewhere and created a much needed spell of possession on the ball creating some good phase rugby but just not quite having the final pass to score the points.
Defensively looked a lot stronger with the players getting used to how wide the pitch is and acclimatising from the smaller 13s pitch.

The final third was probably a little too long for both teams. Both sides were tiring on the first day of the season in the ryton heat. Looked scrappy from the sideline but it's where Houghton produced their best attacking rugby. Some great attacking runs from the forwards linking up with offloads trying to get it out wide.

Good to get the first game under the belts and some good positives to take from the day with something to work on the training ground!! Well done