In the Belles last home game of the season on Sunday - which became the last game of the season in light of the Covid-19 updates since - the Belles were pumped to show Witney that their 71-5 defeat of 13 Belles earlier in the season was not a true reflection on the Belles.

From the start, the game was thrown into slight disarray with a serious injury being sustained by Witney just 2 phases from their kick off. This caused a long delay to play and eventual movement to a new pitch as the player could not be moved. All players slightly cold at the restart, the game quickly heated up with a strong defence on both sides resulting in some strong clashes and great turnovers. The Belles were beginning to get some great go forward at 5 minutes in with a sequence of strong phases piling on the pressure. However, a quick switch between the Belles centres was denied by the fast defensive line of Witney and the well-timed intercept put their no.7 on the front foot to sprint in under the posts, the Belles just a whisker away from getting a try-saving tackle in. Converted, 0-7.

On the Belles restart, there was some fantastic pressure that kept Witney in their half and unable to get the width they desperately wanted with the Belles quick defence pulling down their pick and go's too quickly. A Belles turnover led to some great carries from the forwards to create space along the Belles back line and they pressed up well into Witney's 22. However, a knock on from the Belles and a strong scrum from Witney spelled another try for them. This came in the form of some smooth switches between Witney's 10 and 12 and a long period of pick and go attack that left the Belles drawn in tighter than they should have been. Following up with a quick ball to the backs, Witney were able to breakthrough some mis-timed tackles in the centre of the pitch from the Belles to pop down under the posts. Converted, 0-14

Fighting back from the restart, the Belles defended Witney's possession from the kick off strongly, seeking opportunities to turn over. This came from a rip in the centre of the pitch and the quick hands from the backs that followed saw Kim Lapington outpace the Witney winger and dot down close to the touchline, in her first game for the Belles! Sterling effort! ?Conversion missed (it was quite wide, c'mon Kim, closer next time! :p) 5-14

HT 5-14. Ref warning Witney for high tackles and tripping outside of rucks, Belles warned for discipline. Both teams would need to be careful. The game was still able to be turned around from the Belles perspective and they were fired up for it.

Belles KO was followed by a strong chase and turned over almost immediately at the 22, seeing the Belles in so close for the chance at another try. But Witney's strong defence held and eventually forced a scrum to Witney for a Belles knock on, Belles working a bit too flat. Witney dominated their own scrum and made ground back up to halfway before being taken into touch for a Belles lineout. Brought down well but turned over by Witney shortly after, then quickly knocking on and leading to what should have been a Belles scrum but was called for Witney. Nevermind, as the Belles defended well and forced another scrum without any ground made, so this should have stood them in good stead. However, off the back of this scrum, some messy play in the Belles half resulted in the ref finally getting her cards out. Thought to be a kick out towards a Witney player in the ruck by Zoe Bennion, sin-binned for 10. The resultant penalty and being a player up opened the door for Witney again, charging down the wing and making some lovely offloads to this time avoid getting brought to touch, despite a strong chase from the Belles, and managed to dot down halfway to the posts. Converted, 5-21. Ref called again for zero tolerance on discipline from the Belles - the ref had heard swearing and aggressive language as the Belles called to each other to knock the Witney player out into touch during the last chase.

The next 10 min showed some great character from the Belles to keep Witney out despite the overlap, enabling the Belles to see it out to the end of the sin bin period. In this time and for the next 10, the Belles spent most of this camped in the Witney half but couldn't capitalise on the great pressure. Finally, a great break from Witney saw their 7 again break the gainline and a great chase from the Belles to tackle was thought to have both brought her to touch - the linesman raised his flag but later said this is because he had to step back to avoid getting hit - and cause a knock on, neither of which were given and the hard lesson in playing to the whistle as it's the ref's vantage that counts. In the second it took the nearest Belles to chase, no.7 was grubbering the ball along and was tackled on the tryline. Dubious pressure but the try was upheld. Converted, 24-5

The final 5 again saw the Belles camped in Witney's half with so many opportunities to score but none quite bearing fruit. Witney turned over and kicked wide as time ran out, ending the game and the Belles 2 season unbeaten home record.

FT 5-24

A loss is never welcomed and there will be much to work on from the Belles here, particularly the surprising discipline issues which haven't been a problem with refs all season - perhaps a lot of pent up fire and determination just being let out in the wrong way. However, the Belles were thrilled to get a game played at all given the Covid-19 knowledge at the time, and the total rugby ban from the RFU on Monday, so we do feel lucky to have been able to play our last game of the season and give it our all regardless. There were 18 players for the Belles on Sunday - a massive improvement where 15 has been a stretch for much of the season. There were a few new faces as well so we look forward to seeing how they develop in the team moving forwards!

For the last game of the season, we had a lot of players that could have got player of the match, so instead we decided to get everyone a drink and run a forwards vs backs boat race. This resulted in a photo finish which we can only call a draw - probably the best result all round though of course the forwards want a rematch because clearly they're the better drinkers and the backs want a rematch because they're adamant they're quicker! Rematch in 2021 ladies?

Big shout out to Kim Lapington, Zoe Bennion and Rachel Elder who played their first match for the Belles, and to Daisy Thomas who had her first match for the Belles AND her first EVER games of rugby all in one!

The Belles will be hoping to support touch rugby tournaments over the summer when rugby is allowed to restart if it's in time, but look out over the next couple of months for preseason news. Plus we'll all need plenty of time outside once we can again - it'll be the perfect time to give rugby a try so watch this space! ???