With Hertfordshire only bringing a playing 13 (more rugby league than a BUCS union match), UCLWRFC were kind enough to bench two additional players to make for a more even game.
Despite this smaller playing squad, the Purples were able to set the tone early. Just five minutes after kick-off, scrumhalf Carly Castagna charged through the middle of the posts, and a regulation conversion from the fly-half skipper Lucy Brooks resulted in an early 7-0 lead.
The back row were noticeably animated, and despite Herts defense almost denying a second UCL try, a tactical offload from the left winger Sylvie Pearson allowed inside-centre Chloe Lau to score. Soon after, the impressive pace of Pearson allowed for another try and successful conversion, leaving the score 19-0 at just 13 mins.
Castagna was in an impressive run of form, sprinting from Herts’ 10m line all the way to score a second try. Capitalising on Herts failing to get off the mark, a tactical UCL substitution permitted Amanda Brodie to run from the halfway line to score a try, and allow for a 33 point lead.
Herts did, however, show more set piece dominance by consistently winning the lineouts and scrums throughout the match. Moreover, before the half time whistle blew, a Herts’ second row scored a try at 31 mins.
Nevertheless, the first half of play was unquestionably UCL’s, with very dominant possession of the ball.
Thus leaving the score at half time 33-5.
The second half of the match saw Herts having a more aggressive defense that was eager to prevent UCL from attaining more tries.
Yet, this did not stop full-back Funto Akarakiri contributing two back-to-back tries, which tallied the score up to 45-5 soon after the resumption of play.
Akin to the England rugby team, at 53 mins UCL sent their affectionately dubbed “bomb squad” of Castagna, Silveri, and Brodie on to shake things up in the tailend of the match.
A high tackle from UCL did however result in a penalty try in favour of Herts, thus letting the visitors to break into double digits with the score 45-12 at 68 mins.
The last ten minutes of play saw the UCL attack threatening the goal line, and Gibbons being denied a try at 71 mins. With the ball passing through many hands, Castagna was ultimately able to achieve a hat-trick, which would also be the final try of the match.
The final score was 50-12. Indeed, a dominant win for UCLWRFC.
Captain Brooks proved reliable with five conversions, and Castagna (three), Akarakiri (two), Lau, Pearson, and Brodie all contributed with tries.
A very proud UCLWRFC coach, Tracey Smith, told The Cheese Grater that it was a “great performance at Regent’s Park.” Smith was particularly impressed with Castagna “setting the standard for the team”, since there were a lot of uncapped players debuting in this match against Herts.