Eastern Counties Ladies began their Gill Burns Women's County Championship Plate campaign with a 26-20 win over Warwickshire Women at Stowmarket RFC.

With seven clubs and the Royal Navy represented, EC conceded an early try but West Norfolk's Georgie Lingham ran in a try from 50 metres in response, with Annalise Allan of Harwich Owls converting for a 7-5 lead.

Warwickshire responded quickly with a further unconverted try but Harwich lock Mimi Montgomery powered over and Allan kicked the extras to put the hosts 14-10 ahead at the break.

A third unconverted try put the visitors back in front, Woodbridge Amazon's Claire Brickley put EC 19-15 ahead and then Wymondham Wasps' blindside flanker Libby Lockwood scored from a quick tap penalty to allow Allan to make it 26-15, before a late try for the visitors.

EC Ladies' second game in the pool stage is away to Oxfordshire on Sunday (2pm).

Eastern Counties: 15 Georgie Lingham (West Norfolk), 14 Briony Davies (Shelford), 13 Kristin Kvalvik (Harwich Owls), 12 Maria Carpenter (Bury St Edmunds Foxes), 11 Steph Hanratty (BSE Foxes), 10 Analise Allan (Harwich), 9 Georgie Palmer (BSE Foxes); 8 Stacey Hargrave (captain – Royal Navy), 7 Sam Chan (Shelford), 6 Libby Lockwood (vice-captain –Wymondham Wasps), 5 Mimi Montgomery (Harwich), 4 Jasmin Clark (BSEFoxes), 3 Sophia John (BSE Foxes), 2 Kaylee Williams (BSE Foxes), 1 Charly Green (Wymondham).

Replacements: 16 Sami Rackman (BSE Foxes), 17 Tekura Maeva (Lakenham Ladies), 18 Natalie Palmer (BSE Foxes), 19 Naomi Dobner (Harwich), 20 Holly Crook (Wymondham), 21 A Claire Brickley (Woodbridge Amazons), 22 Sonia Knowles (Lakenham).