OA Saints maintained their unbeaten start to the 2019/20 season after a low-scoring yet enthralling encounter with Bath Ladies at home.

The Woollams outfit came into the game off the back of their best performance of the season against Henley, looking to continue their breathtaking start in their newly promoted league.

In a scoreless first half, Bath had the Lions share of possession and territory. With the wind at their back, they enjoyed sustained periods of play deep in the Saints half. The defensive effort was resolute, the home side worked tirelessly to repel the never-ending waves of attack from Bath, and they held out to gain a massive psychological advantage, to go in at half time 0-0.

After the interval, Saints retook the field with a renewed energy and tactical guile. They utilised the dominance asserted at the set-piece in the first half to set a platform to allow centre Caz Collie to use the boot and gain territory for the Saints.

This territory lead to opportunities for the Saints to break the deadlock. After Bath conceded a penalty at the breakdown, Collie stepped up and kept her cool, to take her side into a 3-0 lead.

However, the away side rallied. After a narrow kick chase, the away side shipped the ball out wide and took advantage of space out wide, to touch down for the first try of the match. The conversion was missed, meaning Bath took the lead, 5-3.

The Saints response was immediate and effective. They managed a turnover in midfield and took advantage of the disorganised defence. After building the phases in Bath’s 22, Collie crashed over out wide to regain the lead for the home side. Not satisfied with the try, she slotted a brilliant conversion to extend the lead to 10-5.

The remaining 20 minutes were nail-biting with both sides committing unforced errors, halting progress. As they did in the first half, the Saints defence was fantastic, eventually holding out to claim the win.

The Saints will look to maintain their position atop the Championship South 1 table next week, as they travel to Brighton to take on Hove Women.

Paul Adams,

Team Manager