A depleted All Macs played host this week to local rivals Long Eaton at Ashby RFC. Numbers were bolstered by the loan of 5 players from Market Bosworth who kindly showed up in support and gave it their all. All Macs were looking to get their season back on track following a chastening loss away at Market Bosworth last week.

All Macs got off to a great start following a knock on at kick off by the visitors. The resulting dominant scrum released Lottie B and Lucy across gain line surging towards the try line. A strong counter ruck by Long Eaton was well resisted before Ellie picked up and ran from 5m out carrying 2 defenders with her on her way to open the scoring.
Lou Lou with conversion.
7-0

Newcomer Gabby showing great early commitment in attack and defence to continue an attacking move before snuffing out a Long Eaton attack inside the home half. Market Bosworth player Fi turned the field for All Macs taking the ball from her own 22 up across half way while club mate Eliza provided fantastic go forward ball at the breakdown time and time again.

All Macs finally gained good field position thanks to some hard running resulting in 2 penalties the second of which was struck firmly into the corner for an All Macs throw in. Maisie hit Emi in the lineout they set up a tight maul from 5m out that crashed over the Long Eaton try line for Maisie to score her first try for 3 years!
12-0

The next score came from another All Mac line out but this time inside their own 22! Won well again by Emi and quickly spun through the entire back line before reaching Fi who split the centre and wing channel, rounded the advancing full back and sprinted the rest of the field to score under the post.
Lou Lou adding the extras.
19-0

Lottie Castles had a massive defensive effort in the first half providing bone crunching tackles all move the field. Hats off as well to Rose who stepped in to play scrum half this week in place of the injured Olive. Second row and flanker are in no way similar to scrum half so her performance was outstanding with all things taken into account.

Half time

An early mistake from All Macs inside their own 5m like lead to an attacking scrum for the visitors and whilst All Macs were once again dominant in the tight, Long Eaton managed to get the ball away down the short side and over for their first score of the afternoon. Clearly they had come out fighting for the second half.
19-5

A second lineout steal inside the Long Eaton 22 led to the next All Mac try as EMI once again soared above the opposing jumper before Rose took the ball into contact. The All Macs spun the ball into midfield as Ellie knocked a gaping hole in the defence before Evie Parker had a go from short range and sucked in the defence so that Lou Lou could power over for the score.

The resulting kick off was returned with interest as first Ellie then Ella thundered through the defensive, half way and 22 metre lines before pulling in a penalty inside the 5m. Sadly the kick to touch was too long and gave Long Eaton a 22 drop out from which they sped the remainder of the pitch to score under the posts despite a desperate attempt by fly half Amele.
24-12

Long eaton were next to score as they advanced down the field through their backs to set up a penalty on the 22. A momentary lapse of concentration allowed a big run through the middle and over the line.
24-17

Sloppy handling and even sloppier discipline led to the next score for the visitors in the far right corner with only a conversion left to level the scores. However it was perhaps the hardest kick to make and despite a fine effort it fell short.
24-22

A penalty from the kick off gave All Macs an attacking lineout inside the Long Eaton 5m. This time the rolling maul was illegally pulled down but home team couldn’t take advantage of the resulting penalty.
A defensive scrum for Long Eaton 10 metre out with 3 minutes to go built the pressure further and Long Eaton escaped their half unscathed to put pressure back on the Home team. But a turnover, penalty and kick to touch saw the game brought to a close with All Macs 2 point winners in a very hotly contested encounter.

Well done to all involved- players, coaches, managers and officials for getting the game on. Big thanks to our neighbours Market Bosworth for turning out to help with numbers and well played to all those girls involved.