Gazelles storm to victory

Team: 1 Boo Spicer (C) 2 Vicky Boothman 3 Victoria Harbridge 4 Zoo Overton 5 Becki Simmonds  6 Carla Pullinger  7 Spencer Hastings 8 Iley Bailey  9 Grace Doran 10 Rosie Tugwell 11 Ellie Birch 12 Lauren Fisher 13 Helen Harris (VC)  14 Millie Davies 15 Manon Bataille

Replacements: 16 Amy Cooke 17 Gabriella Skov 18, Lucy Heryet 19 Nellie Pegg 20 Verity Hillicks 21 Gracie New-Brown 22 Lottie New-Brown

Scorers: Tries: Ellis (2), Tugwell, Heryet

Cons: Fisher (2)

Guildford Gazelles put on a show of speed, strength and skill to blow away a spirited and physical Hammersmith and Fulham side at Broadwater Park on Sunday with a final score of 24-5.

In difficult conditions at Broadwater, Guildford Gazelles scored four tries to one to move them to 6th place in the league. Tries from Ellie Birch (2) and Rosie Tugwell in the first half, with two conversions from Lauren Fisher, put Guildford in a commanding position at the break.

A try from Lucy Heryet and another conversion from Lauren Fisher completed the scoring in the second half.  Hammersmith and Fulham scored a deserved consolation converted try late on in the second half.

With the ball, Guildford were impressive in their physicality and pace.  The front five were looking to make ground at every opportunity, and Grace Doran was linking well with the impressive Guildford midfield who controlled the game from the outset.  In midfield, Lauren Fisher was outstanding.  Her vision and ability to put in long raking kicks that sent the visitors back to their line was a sight to behold.  She is definitely one to watch.

After a less than ideal start to the season, Guildford Gazelles have grown in confidence with each game.  They are developing into a team that is not out of place in this league and are consolidating their position.  The performance on Sunday demonstrated a wide range of capabilities and a developing cohesion.  In defence, the team were tireless, working hard to put the attack under pressure and get the ball back.  This relentless pressure, led by the excellent back row of Pullinger, Hastings and Bailey, caused the visitors no end of problems.  Bristol Bears fans may be getting excited about the force of nature that is Ilona Maher, but the Gazelles have for a long time had their own force of nature that is Spencer Hastings, (although I am not sure she has as many Tik Tok followers!)

The Gazelles' next game is away against Hove on 15th December before taking a well deserved Christmas break.

Mike Burden

Return to News Page

Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.
CONGU® is Copyright 2025 Council of National Golf Unions.