Anna Jones leads Ladies’ in points fest

Published: 4th November, 2010
by STEVE BARNETT

RUGBY ROUND-UP

TABLE-toppers Hampstead Ladies made it three wins out of three in South East One of the National Challenge Rugby League on Sunday when they powered to 59-12 points victory over Portsmouth. 

Hampstead all but ended the game as a contest in the first half, scoring 52 points in a one-sided contest. 

Top scorer Anna Jones was in unstoppable form as she picked-up three tries. Anita Oliver (pictured) and Kat Matfield also both put in top performances, with Matfield’s pace taking her over the line for two tries. Islington contingent Nadine Mason and Marcella Collins scored one apiece, while Hinde Haest and Leah Llach completed the try scoring. Scrum-half Maja Melendez, returning from a long injury layoff, had near perfect accuracy as she scored seven from nine conversions.

The Hampstead men’s team losing streak in Division Two of the London North-West Rugby League continued on Saturday when they were beaten at home by Harpenden. 

The hosts put in a much-improved performance, giving the team hope they will soon turn their poor early-season form around. They will have to wait at least another week, however, as a clinical Harpenden side condemned them to a 27-11 points defeat. Hampstead’s points came via two Damien Naughton penalties and a well-worked try for Ben Fehnhert.

Coach Ali Halsall was impressed with his team’s improvement: “A few individual errors in attack and defence at the wrong times didn’t help, but apart from that I’m really pleased with our level of performance,” he said.

“We played dynamically and caused a side that is third in the table a lot of problems.”