Pumas move closer to sealing title

They beat Le Mont Saint Storm 63-28 at St Sampson’s High on Monday night, a win that means they are practically guaranteed the title provided they do not lose to their own development team next month.

But their first five minutes against Storm painted a less sunny picture.

Storm have had a tough season and losing their influential Verona Tomlin to an Achilles rupture has compounded their struggles, but here they worked superbly around Pumas’ man-to-man defence initially and led 8-2.

Pumas fought back to end the quarter level at 8-8 and, after a change in defensive tactics, contained their opponents excellently to lead 29-10 at half-time.

A resurgent LMS edged the third quarter 10-8, only for Pumas to finish with another purple patch.

Kerri Brown racked up 25 points across her three quarters, while captain Gemma Batiste scored 14 and Rochelle Vaudin also made double digits. Relative newcomer Katrina Reynolds added eight.

Given that Brown is returning from Covid and Batiste has been nursing a calf strain, and a couple other key players were unavailable, coach Robin Smith admitted it was a nervy start.

‘I was on tenterhooks, but I had nine players out and they all got out and contributed,’ he said.

Steph Beausire topped Storm’s scoring with 10, with the experienced Tracy Martel and Kate Reed also contributing well.

Pumas now face second-placed Comets on Friday 1 April, earning the right to an early title celebration if they win.

The Men’s Division One showdown between Le Mont Saint and Skipton was postponed amid squad issues due to Covid.