Stafford’s women’s mixed ability side, the Marbelles, made the trip down the M5 to face a hybrid team from Ledbury and Yeovil in their first game of 2026. The fixture was made of three relatively new mixed ability teams, but did not disappoint in an incredible display of running rugby.

Stafford started the game strongly with Preston, with what would turn out to be the first of her trademark runs of the afternoon, deploying a deft sidestep 60m out and continued to power through the home sides defence before crashing over for the opening try.

The home team re-grouped with hard running and a well-drilled set-piece, setting the scene for a great game of end to end rugby. The next quarter was a real arm-wrestle with the home side digging in and gaining position through a strong set-piece. After many phases on pressure, Stafford gained possession and Dustan set the platform, with the away team punching holes through McLaughlin and Powis, before releasing the ever-present Preston to crash over for her second try of the game

Stafford continued to pile on the pressure, lead by Haines putting in a number of strong tackles. Ashmin-Halpin pounced on a loose ball and steamed down the left flank, breaking past multiple defenders on her way. However, the home sides covering defence scrambled to make a last ditch try-saving tackle 20m out, much to the disgust of the nearside touch judge, Entwistle, who had just about worked out which end of his flag was which.

The home team fought back, using the set piece as a base to re-assert themselves over the Marbelles threat. Strong leadership from captain Hickman showed, as she read a pre-planned lineout move, making a dominant tackle at the front of the line-out, resulting in a call of ‘help me’ from the opposition player.

The teams went into half time poised at 5-10.

The second half started where the first had left off, a physical affair with neither side giving any quarter. Stafford constantly punched through the line, with McLaughlin repeatedly bringing her team forward and setting the foundation for a strong half of rugby. Nolan breached the opposition on the wing, only to be agonisingly bought down in the tackle, face-plating the floor but having presence of mind to retain possession.

The Marbelles knew that they were in a fight, and the pack all rose to the challenge, putting their bodies on the line in every moment. Kowalewska-Fry (L) was again a constant in defence, making turnover after turnover, legal or not. A highlight of this defensive performance being to ‘advise’the referee that she was ‘only playing’ as one decision resulted in a shrill blow on the referees whistle and a penalty to the home side.

Stafford were again pushing forward, this time Turner pounced on the ball just inside her own half before embarking on a strong run into ‘enemy territory’. Turner refused to take the ball to ground, with a deft offload to Gardner who flew deep into the opposition half before deploying a her slick handling skills to West, who powered through the last two defenders to score.

The restart was well taken by West, who, in the only way a West can, decided to kick from her own 22. The difference from her brother was that it was a lovely, lofted kick that her team-mates could get under and force the turnover .... Again proving that ‘The Rubes’ is the best West.

Having set the platform, Marbelles again powered forward down the right flank. The ball reached Dustan on the 22, who had been an absolute nuisance to the opposition all day with her sniping runs and devastating tackling. Dustan steamed through and spectacularly dived for the line ..... unfortunately on this occasion the line was the 5m line.

The last quarter continued in the same vein, with Marbelles powerfully carrying and asking questions of the opposition in every play. Curtis, who had been unlucky not to score twice already continued to power her team forward, and Kowalewska-Fry (S) continued to frustrate the opposition with her knack for an interception.

As time drew to a close, the Marbelles continued to pile on the pressure and moved into the opposition 22. Continuing the platform they had set all day, Stafford’s Women kept pushing forward with unrelenting pressure, supporting each other in every phase. After earning the space in defence, Dustan capped off her excellent performance at 9 to put in Gardner to complete the scoring.

FT Ledbury/Yeovil 5 – 20 Sta8ord Marbelles