Guildford Rugby Club
Gazelles vs Newbury, Sunday 21st September - Match Report
Guildford Gazelles 19 – 39 Newbury
Broadwater Pavilion
Sunday 21st September 2025
Gazelles Show Spirit in Hard-Fought Derby Against Newbury
Team: 1 Boo Spicer, 2 Billie Brown*, 3 Amy Cooke, 4 Anna Clarke, 5 Olivia Price, 6 Carla Pullinger, 7 Iley Bailey, 8 Verity Hillicks, 9 Tegan Larvan, 10 Rosie Tugwell (c), 11Olivia Thompson, 12 Helen Harris, 13 Sophie Storey, 14 Millie Davies, 15 Manon Bataille
Replacements: 16 Amy Henwood, 17 Megan Wilde, 18 Jess Murphy, 19 Zara Taylor, 20 Nellie Pegg, 21 Ellie Birch, 22 JoJo Vosakiwaiwai*
(* Gazelles Debut)
Scorers: Tries: Hillicks, Henwood, Vosakiwaiwai
Cons: Larvan, Tugwell
Player of the Match: Iley Bailey
Forward of the Match: Anna Clarke
Back of the Match: Helen Harris
This season sees Guildford Gazelles placed in the Southwest region following a league reorganisation, meaning longer journeys await as they look to build on the successes of recent campaigns. Sunday’s clash with Newbury, however, provided something close to a derby.
The occasion also marked the welcome return of Anna Clarke and Liv Thompson to Guildford colours, while debutants Billie Brown and JoJo Vosakiwaiwai made their first home outing.
Playing up the hill towards Broadwater School, the Gazelles started with determination. The first half was characterised by fierce defensive work, with strong tackling from both sides shutting down attacking breaks. For the Gazelles, the likes of Iley Bailey, Clarke, and Helen Harris led the charge, ensuring the battle remained largely between the two 22-metre lines.
It took over 30 minutes for the deadlock to be broken. Verity Hillicks powered over close to the posts, and with Tegan Larvan adding the extras, the Gazelles held a deserved 7–0 advantage. Newbury, however, found space out wide before the break, notching two unconverted tries to edge ahead 10–7 at half-time.
HT: Guildford Gazelles 7 – 10 Newbury
The second half proved more challenging for the hosts. Possession was hard to retain, and when the Gazelles did secure the ball, the referee’s whistle often intervened, leading to a stop-start rhythm that favoured the visitors. Newbury capitalised, running in five further tries - two converted.
Yet Guildford never gave up the fight. Their persistence was rewarded with two well-crafted scores: one from Amy Henwood, and another try converted by Rosie Tugwell, from debutant Vosakiwaiwai, who showcased her pace and power to outstrip several defenders on the outside - a glimpse of what she can bring to the squad this season.
Although the final scoreline did not reflect the effort or quality on display from the Gazelles, it should be remembered that Newbury are a side who, like the Gazelles, narrowly missed promotion last season. Against such strong opposition, there were still plenty of positives - solid defensive organisation, promising debuts, and flashes of attacking flair.
The Gazelles will no doubt be disappointed not to come away with more, but their resilience and determination suggest they will regroup quickly as they look to return to winning ways in the weeks ahead.
Mike Burden
Upcoming fixtures:
Sun 05 Oct. Launceston (A)
Sun 12 Oct. Oxford Harlequins (H)
Sun 26 Oct. Bec Belles (A)
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