After a number of weeks without a game, and with local opposition cancelling on us... we travelled to Newark for a game on the road!

Starting Line up: Started 14 a side
1. Eleanor
2. Millie (PL)
3. Maddie (Captain)
4. Fliss
5. Darcie
6. Emi
7. Rose

9. Abi
10. Skye (VC)
11. Lottie
12. Lillie
13. Ken
14. Isla
15. Emily

Finishers: Brooke and Ava

Weather in the morning was good... but with kick off approaching the heavens opened.
The ground went from rock solid, to muddy within minutes!
This didn't stop our girls kicking off with intent!!

From the kick off we closed the space down, hard hits, good rucking.
After so back and forth with turned over rucks, it was our chance to get the backs moving. Skye released quick ball to Kenadie, who used her direct running to draw in defenders, and make space for Lillie to find Lottie out on the wing. She stepped a defender, and put the after burners on..... try!
Skye was unlucky with the conversion from a tight angle.

Back to it.
Again some excellent tackling was really testing our opposition, who in fairness, never stopped coming at us!
A second try soon followed. Our forwards rucked with force, drawing in defenders to try and stop them. Que Captain Mads, who with the line in sight, picked and went... over the line... try!

The next 10 mins were a back and forth affair, with lots of quality tackling and rucking from both teams, making for a great game. The weather was taking it's toll as the freezing rain was affecting girls handling and under foot conditions.
Eventually Newark found a whole in the defence, and managed to break through and score a try... conversion missed.

10 - 5

After an injury to one of their forwards, both teams dropped down to 13 a side.... Que the intro of Brooke and the long awaited return of Ava, who has missed most of the season due to a bad injury sustained in November!
Both girls came on firing!
Some more back and forth play resulted in the ball landing to Lillie, who using slight of foot, left her opposite number tangled up... break away run and another try!
Skye unlucky with her conversion just dragging to the left from a tight angle.

2 mins later, some excellent rucking by Ken, Lillie and Mads, resulted in Darcie finding some space, showing a turn of pace and breaking free to score... fantastic try and a turn of pace that Darcie has kept quiet for a while... brilliant!

Skye again, just wide with her conversion... but great effort considering angle and weather.

20 - 5 HT

The weather didn't let up! More freezing rain, but the girls for both team battled on!

Lots of back and forth, with some handling errors creeping in for both teams... lots of chances for scrums!! Lovely!

Newark went on the attack, and with a swirling wind hitting hard with the freezing rain... conditions were really testing!

Newarks determined hard work paid off, and they scored 2 try in quick succession.

20 - 15

Our girls re grouped, and fired in with some fantastic, determined rucking.... edging closer to the try line through the forwards, until Fliss took control and crossed the line.

Skye, smashed the conversion over.

27 - 15

Now, some back and forth on injuries for both teams resulted with the Referee calling the game 10 mins earlier... bodies were battered, but a great game, in great spirit, meaning that girls getting minutes on the pitch.
Thank you to Newark for hosting us.... great set of girls, who didn't give up... Well done!

We are so proud of our girls... we have had lots of fixture cancellations, reduced game time, injuries and these girls smile (most!) and get on with it. They make me proud to coach them, as I am sure the other coaches will testify to.

Mads was phenomenal in her running, tackling and rucking.... true captains example!
Skye strung together some excellent plays, kicked excellent territory and tackled strong!
Ken was hard hitting, strong in the tackle and backed her team mates.
Lillie Hales had some great runs, tackled strong and backed her team mates in at ruck time!
Brooke was strong with her running lines, and kept low in her rucking.
Isla, is showing some amazing confidence in her tackling, and put her body on the line... not bad for a girl that has only just started playing rugby this season!!!
Darcie... where did that run come from... great try! Backed up with some great tackles.
Ava.... that girl has been out since November, and today was phenomenal... put her body on the line, connected plays well, and was great to see her back!
Last but no means least, Millie... was at every breakdown, every ruck, backing her team mates... scrapping for everything. Every girl could of won player of the match, but for me.... Millie wins that!