Sun 2 Nov 2025
A blustering, chilly wind greeted the all-conquering blues on their first trip away to Argaum. A notoriously tricky ground to get used to, the visitors had the delight of playing uphill in the first half, against a determined home side, keen to put the league leaders under pressure. Some early argaum pressure was thwarted by a strong tackle from Ash Pears, with Maddie Grant stepping up to steal the ball, by no means the first time this season that Ash Pears has knocked them over and Grant has come away with the ball. It’s also not the first time this season that the early Kings’ attacks lacked shape and precision, only for Hayley Hopkins to sprinkle some bewitching magic over the defence and dance over the line.
Both her finishing and her kicking were on point all day long in a typically inspiring performance. Lauren Jeffery was the next to shine with a barnstorming run through the strong Argaum defence. Her presentation of the ball was also textbook and another sign of her terrific development this season. Some excellent hands and better offensive organisation (thanks in no small part to the lively Amelia Benfield) saw backs and forward combine to give Abi Lethbridge her latest try in an incredible haul since her senior debut.
A Benfield boot to clear the lines saw a hard chase from Kings with Jeffery timing a fine pass to Charlotte Budgen who scored well. The Argaum defences remained strong with a few players showing some real grit and bravery to quell the visitors’ attacks. Chloe Inch hit a great line from the wing and her cheeky grubber had the home team scurrying back uphill having had a period of possession they would not repeat in the first half.
Another fine physical showing from Kate Robinson saw her steal the ball to feed Maddie for another fine individual try. The resulting kick off saw Pears secure a tricky aerial ball, a strong Argaum ruck gave them the ball only for Connie Eastwood to smash the opposition and secure the ball. A bruising run from Ash Roberts set up the ball nicely for Grant to score again.
With the wind (and gravity) behind them in the second half, Kings made some big changes. Emma Bewley immediately made a break and shrugged off tackles before Anna Linzell and Tamsyn Wilson both made strong carries towards the home side’s try line. A very good pass from Hannah Gale to Grant opened the second half scoring.
Hannah’s next break saw her pass again, this time to Benfield who deftly evaded the opposition and scored a lung-bursting try – a just reward for her excellent composure all match long. Another replacement, Phoebe Sherburn played her best match yet for the team and made a strong tackle to thwart any home hopes of a score.
Hopkins treated the home supporters to some more magic, this time burning around the outside for another fine score. The final try came from Sophia King, who put in another hard-working performance at 9. There are tougher matches to come for Kings but this rate of development and strength of squad augurs well for the rest of the season.
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