In a season plagued by low numbers and storm-related postponements and forfeits, Sunday's clash against Wolverhampton Ladies was particularly crucial for the Belles, with the match counting for 2 matches and double the points.

Wolverhampton arrived on their coach in full strength to face against 15 Belles (no subs) with unlimited rolling subs allowed in this league. The Belles were set to grit their teeth and for every individual to give 110% throughout, to protect their 2-season unbeaten home record and get some crucial league points.

The fired-up Belles were shown immediately the uphill challenge they were up against, when a great take from the rapid Wolves 15 off the kick off turned into a try under the posts in the first phase of play. Not the best start for the Belles, letting 15 through too easily and not being able to catch despite a big chase. Silver lining for the Belles though, as this marked the Wolves fullback as their major speed threat for the game. Easy conversion, 0-7.

Re-setting after their initial surprise, the Belles fought back hard and kept Wolves pinned in their own half after great pressure from the kick off. The bulk of the mistakes had been from Wolves with the Belles making strong turnovers and gaining ground, until Wolves capitalised on a Belles knock on and made ground back down that right wing. A few quick phases later and they dotted down in the corner. Conversion missed, 0-12.

It was a tough ask but, heads up and with words of encouragement from coach JB, the Belles kicked off the re-set and their comeback. Building on the great pressure they'd been bringing, the Belles turned over in Wolves' half and only moved forwards from there. Some lovely quick forwards phases and great hands out to the backs released Martyna Gorecka on the wing, who sped past all challengers to score in the clubhouse corner and get points on the board for Banbury. Supporters at the club for the England v Ireland match turned to pitch 1 for the more challenging match! Tricky conversion missed in the gusting wind, 5-12.

Buoyed up, the Belles had a great take themselves from the kick off and the game spent the next 5 minutes between Wolves' 22 and halfway, as both teams brought strong competition to the rucks and set up solid defensive lines. The Belles put in some solid tackling and got a deserved penalty for Wolves holding on in their half. The pen quickly taken from the Belles saw the ball in Keeli Wood's hands within Wolves' 22. Dangerous! Wood dotted down under the posts and Lucy Gardner duly converts.

Half time all even, 12-12

From the restart the Belles maintained their confidence despite being up against some fresh legs from the Wolves side. After spending the first 10 minutes camped out in Wolves' half, the ball again found it's way to Wood running a great supporting line through the backs. Shaking off the last arm grab she dived under the posts to bring the Belles into the lead for the first time in the game. Converted, 19-12

Wolves' response was strong and saw them make their way steadily up the pitch after the reset. The Belles defence was fantastic against a pack of physically larger players, who were brought down quickly at every charge. But a scrum on the Belles 22 set up some nice phases from Wolves and a great line from their replacement second row was a force to be reckoned with. She stormed across the line with 3 Belles still hanging on to bring her down just a fraction too late. Crucially, Wolves were kept wide with this attempt, conversion missed, 19-17

Wolves built on this momentum and a few minutes later had used their backs to great effect to get wide on the Belles who didn't surge forward in defence as well as they had in the rest of the game. The Wolves fullback was able to run slightly closer to the posts than their last try and give the conversion more of a chance on the other foot. Converted, 19-24

The Belles were dominant following this try, immediately making ground back into Wolves' 22. The Belles made a couple of mistakes to give Wolves the advantage, but that strong Belles defence never allowed them enough ground, forcing several scrums that again barely any ground. Wolves had their own share of errors, with a succession of 3 penalties given against them in their 22 which they fiercely defended. Finally, after yet another rip from the Belles, the ball found it's way through the backs hands to Beatrix Schimek, who was able to step the last defenders and score the try she'd deserved after several great breaks earlier in the game. The irregularly gusting wind then sealed the game unfortunately, with the kick from Gardner that would have won a crossbar challenge but, within a whisker, cruelly tipped back the wrong side of the try line and brought the scores all even again.

FT 24-24.

The Belles unbeaten at home record continues. In the difficult circumstances of only having 15 players in total due to injury, the Belles showed incredible grit to match a very strong Wolves side, who'd travelled in force, expecting to win all the points in this double-pointer clash. The Belles dug deep to match those 7 additional players and play all out for their teammates.

Forward of the match: Keeli Wood
Backs of the match: Martyna Gorecka and Beatrix Schimek