The Sirens began their 2024/25 campaign in the Women’s NC 2 Midlands Central league on Sunday in front of a supportive (if slightly soggy) home crowd at Copt Heath. After weeks of hard graft in the gym and on the training pitch, it was time for the ladies to show everyone what they were about.

After a cagey opening to the game, Charlie Smith took matters into her own hands by picking up a loose ball and carving straight through the opposition’s defence to score the Sirens’ first try of the match. Beth Wyn Davies confidently kicked the conversion (as she did all afternoon) to put the team into a 7 – 0 lead.

Shortly after, Old Northamptonians fought back with a try of their own to reduce the deficit but it wasn’t long before Charlie was off and running again, receiving the ball on the halfway line and bursting through the opposition’s defence once more, fending off challenges to achieve her second try of the match. Another successful conversion from Beth saw the Sirens deservedly go into the break 14 – 5 ahead.

Head coach Richard Bragg and captain Sophie Martin rallied the troops for the second half, which saw the team really turn up the heat as they looked for an opening-day win. Beth recorded more points against her name by kicking a penalty to extend the Sirens’ advantage before a period of back and forth which saw both teams defend staunchly against each other’s attacks.

Eventually Old Northamptonians’ resistance was beaten as Emma Peters all but secured the victory for the Sirens, taking a pass from Charlie in her stride and running powerfully across the try line to score. A lineout not long after saw the ball worked to Grace Sharp (in possibly her final game for the club), who quickly broke through the opposition’s defence to score the Sirens’ fourth try of the match.

There was just enough time for the ladies to cap off a five-star display with a fifth try, as Charlie pushed her way through a number of tackles to bundle the ball over the line and complete her hat-trick. Beth kicked her final conversion to earn a 100% record, bringing a close to a fantastic performance from the team that saw them ride out victorious 38 – 5.

UTS