Robert Lee reports from Kedleston Road
Derby succumbed to a 32-52 defeat to Hertfordshire in the Women’s Rugby Union game at Varsity 2024.
Team Derby can at least be proud of their Women’s Midlands Tier 3 title and unbeaten league campaign despite falling short of the bragging rights at Kedleston Road for Varsity 2024.
The hosts struggled to cope with the pace of Lydia Edwards who scored seven tries from the right wing.
The visitors started strongly thanks to tries from Edwards and Natasha Lennon in the opening 15 minutes.
Derby seemed to get back into the game through a try from Kathlene Banta, but fell behind again when Edwards scored her second try of the game.
The score was 12-26 at half-time in favour of Herts, with Derby’s Ava Playle suffering a worrying injury just before the break.
In spite of the set-backs, the hosts got off the mark early in the second half with a handful of tries, hauling themselves back within touching distance.
A late scoring flurry charged mainly by Edwards, who ran tirelessly down her flank throughout the game, saw Herts run away with the lead.
It was an unfortunate loss for the recently crowned league champions who had been hoping to complete a successful unbeaten season with a win at Varsity.
