Entering into their first Super Sevens Series of 2023, Bath Rugby Women's 7s headed east to Farnham for their first elite experience of the summer.
Being drawn in the toughest pool of the competition, first up Bath Rugby faced Wooden Spoon Marauders who got the first converted score of the game. Running them close and trailing by just two points at half-time, captain for the day Kyara Martin got Bath on the board after bursting through numerous tackles.
Bath Rugby Ladies' Emily Codd got Bath's second after a quick tap and sniping her way round the back of the ruck.
Earning her Bath Rugby debut, teenage Sophie Cowey showed her strength and speed after being presented with a one on one. Providing fancy footwork, a strong handoff and pure speed to finish a try started in Bath's own half, Cowey's score was made sweeter after debutant Lucy Tanner added the extras from the tee.
After missing some opportunities in attack and losing the game 31-17, Bath Rugby game themselves a good foundation to head into their next fixture against Akuma Beavers.
Learning from their performance against Beavers in the week prior, Martin got Bath Rugby off to a strong start, with Bethan Wakefield soon replicating Martin's try-line success but being caught in touch.
Heading for the try-line once more, Wakefield worked with Codd to create a two on one, this time getting five points on the board for the Blue, Black and White.
In what could be the score of the tournament, Martin produced a beautiful solo chip and chase over the top of numerous Beaver heads to gather the ball and crash over the whitewash for Tanner to convert, leading at 26-17 at the break.
Coming back for the second half, third debutant of the tournament, Chloe Williams, piled on the pressure to hack through the ruck and get five points as a reward. The final score of the fixture came from returning Bath Rugby Women's 7s player Sofia Mazzone, who showed her pace to finish on the wing and end the game 33-22 to Bath.
Facing their toughest opponent of the tournament, Bath came face to face with their old enemy Hammerheads, who became quite the thorn in their side during last year's Super Sevens Series run.
Struggling to get a hold of the game and starved of possession, Bath showed great heart in defence to keep Hammerheads at just two tries in the first half, and scored a team try of their own finished by Williams.
With Hammerheads coming out all guns blazing after the break, Bath Rugby gave themselves too much to do, finishing the game 31-7 in their opponents favour, leaving Bath third in their pool out of a possible four to secure a place in the plate semi-finals.
Taking on another of last week's opponents, Wild Dogs dealt Bath three unanswered tries with the team unable to handle their opponents short restart tactics.
Cowey was able to notch one of Bath's own onto the scoreboard just before the half, assisted by Martin who sent her on her way down the wings.
Bethanie Wilson gave Bath another five points but the Blue, Black and White were left with too many points to make up and the game finished 27-10.
In what was some of the players first ever Super Sevens Series tournament, the weekend showcased Bath Rugby's try-scoring ability, with seven different players able to cross the whitewash, taking Bath's try-scorer tally to 10 in just two tournaments.
Looking ahead to their Super Sevens leg at Bournemouth, Head Coach Maria Crowfoot said: "This weekend was a testament to where the players are and their potential as a group.
"This was our first experience as a full squad. I feel we really competed against Hammerheads, who made our lives difficult last year, which for me shows how much we've grown and the potential we have.
"A lot of the players had their Super Sevens debut this weekend, which is special whether you win or you lose. And seven different try scorers in one tournament just shows the variety we have when it comes to scoring.
"We'll take some time to look back at our missed opportunities this week, and head to Bournemouth in two weeks time!"
pol roger performance of the match
