Late Rally Highlights Senior Women’s Potential

The Senior Women’s season opener against GB Fire Service exposed early challenges with cohesion under new coach Jez Parsons, resulting in a 26-point half-time deficit. A focused team talk brought composure and structure, leading to a stronger second half with tries from Holly Cole and Josie Parnaby. Despite the loss, the performance showed clear progress and promise for the season ahead.

The team came together at Burnaby Road for their opening fixture of the season against the GB Fire Service, a difficult opponent who had edged last year’s final meeting 17 – 24. With players still adjusting to the systems of new head coach Jez Parsons and his support staff, and several new faces in the squad, the match was always likely to be a test of cohesion as much as performance.

That lack of familiarity showed early on. Missed tackles, hesitation in contact, misplaced passes and an ineffective kick chase prevented the side from settling into any rhythm. Small moments of panic and uncertainty over roles handed the Fire Service easy territory and possession, allowing them to dictate the game and restrict how they wanted to play.

The break brought a frank and honest discussion. The message was simple — tighten the game, stay composed and stop trying to force a score at every opportunity. Instead, build phases, move the opposition around the field and trust the structure.

The response in the second half was immediate. Tackles were more confident and dominant, the defensive line stayed connected and attacking shape improved noticeably. With patience and control returning, the team began to look far more like themselves and created meaningful pressure. Tries from Holly Cole and Josie Parnaby reflected that improvement and capped a far more positive forty minutes with the final score 10 – 26.

Although the first half highlighted the challenges of a newly formed group, the second half showed clear progress and promise. More time together in training and matches will continue to build understanding, and the performance provided encouraging signs of what this squad can become.

Jez described the match as "a game of two halves," highlighting the team's focus on starting strong and using their structure to dominate key battle lines. "Unfortunately, we didn’t function in the first 30 minutes and went into half-time 26 points down. Winning the second half 10–0 was a positive, but the goal is to win both halves. As a Performance Coaching Team (PCT), we will work hard to improve our game starts."

Senior Women: R Marley, A Puttock, L Swain; K Bark, E Bythell; R Tuvou, E Brightwell (C), J Shaw, J Parnaby (VC), P Griffiths, H Cole, M Douglass, S McLaughlin, F Mullett, J Banks.

Replacements: R Addis, ⁠F Moore, ⁠L Honeybell, A Baker, ⁠R Dilmore, ⁠G Adams, C Goodwin, ⁠R Dixon, ⁠E Hart, ⁠L Fox.

Words by Guy Pallet

Images by Keith Woodland