Rugby: Bears take over pole position with Solent success

The match was a re-arranged fixture as a result of the poor weather in February and by winning the game in hand, the Bears leapfrogged Kent rivals Aylesford to go top of the table.

The game was played in atrocious wet and windy weather and the Bears started well with the wind behind their backs.

Despite the early pressure, they failed to score in the first 20 minutes – and with the prospect of playing in to the wind in the second half their prospects looked bleak.

However, the deadlock was finally broken when fly-half Jess Carey scored a good individual try, that was followed shortly afterwards by a well-taken try from wing three-quarter Anna Stephenson.

Both tries were converted by scrum-half Benedicte Williams to give the Bears a 14-0 lead at half time.

Playing with the wind behind their backs, the Sirens applied some early pressure but were denied by some determined defending, particularly from flank-forward Georgia Smith.

The hosts’ pressure, however, was rewarded when Hampshire captain Fran Hall crashed over in the corner to reduce the lead to 14-5. This seemed to bring some increased resolve to the visitors, who put together some good handling moves that resulted in a further try for Carey and a try for full-back Chriszenia Morrison to win an important bonus point.

The tries were both converted by Williams to increase the lead to 28-5.

Continued pressure from the Sirens resulted in Zoe Barber scoring a good try to reduce the deficit to 28-10, but in the final period of the game Chloe Barrett made a superb break to score under the posts and Carey completed her hat-trick of tries with the final play of the game.

Again, both of these were converted by Williams to complete her 100 per cent kicking record and to give a final winning margin of 42-10.

Bears now have to win this Sunday’s final league game against Oakmeadians to retain the title they won last year.