Basford Girls shine at County

Sunday 4th November 07

Last Sunday saw the 2nd County Game of the season take place at Rochford Rugby Club.

Our own Basford girls turned out to represent Essex at Rochford against a very good Kent County side.
From the off, the game was played at a terrific pace with both teams playing some excellent rugby.No quarter was given by either side with some big tackles being made across the park.
Kent took the lead after some poor handling by the Essex side allowed them to break through the normally robust defense for Iona Todd to touch down. 5-0.

The Girls kept on playing to their game plan, and the forwards continued to make in roads into the Kent half of the park.
Following yet another turn over at the scrum, the ball was fed to mouse who pulled a perfect pass to Abby out on the wing who then raced through the Kent defence to touch down. 5-5, although the conversion was pulled wide the girls now had the upper hand.
The forwards were dominating the scrum with some excellent play by Ellie, Jess and Frances in the front row with Meg and Lucie providing that push from second row. Alex as usual was ever alert and quick of the back of the scrum to support Jessica at scrum half.
It would be fair to say that up to the moment when Frances went off injured we were totally in control of the scrum. However having lost Frances, we had to revert to uncontested scrums due to the lack of an experienced prop to replace her, and our physical advantage went along with frances.
The backs were seeing plenty of ball throughout the game and some strong running and tackling kept Kent at bay.
Maddy playing her first game at full back had the safest hands on the pitch and continually ran at the Kent side whenever she got a chance.The support play from Layla, Yasmin and Olivia in the centre allowed the girls to mount another attack on the Kent line and some deft handling from Ellie, Meg and Lucie fed the ball to Alex who broke through to go over for the 2nd and what proved to be the winning try. 10-5.
Kent did not give up and a mistake by the Essex girls from a scrum gave Iona Todd from Kent the opportunity to run at the line for what would have been an equalising try. However a deft little tap tackle on the ankle of Iona by Yasmin caused her to stumble forward and spill the ball.
The referee deciding that there wasnt time to scrum down, blew the whistle to bring to an end a fantastic display of rugby and a well deserved win for the Essex Girls.
After a brief respite, the girls took to the field again to play against a Kent Development side who had travelled over with their A team.
Although the first game had taken its toll on the girls, with Frances being unable to carry on and Anna (Westcliff) having to leave early, the girls played on against 13man Kent with 12 players, but proved far too strong for their opponents and ran out eventual winners 51-0.
A big thanks to Kent for coming over today to give the Girls what was undoubtedly the hardest game they had faced this season.

(Essex Squad Basford Girls)
Megan (Capt), Ellie, Alex, Jess H, Frances,Lucie, Jessica, Yasmin, Layla, Olivia, Mouse, Maddy, and Abby.
Tries: Abby, Alex 10-5
Tries: Lucie (2), Alex(2), Jessica, Layla, Mouse, Abbie(2)
Cons: Yasmin (3) 51-0
Well done to all those girls.

Basford U18's v Worthing

Sunday 28th October 2007


Overcast, grey, damp and showers – much more like the weather we come to expect when playing and watching rugby!

Rochford were pleased to welcome the girls and coaches from Worthing RFC for this first meeting of the clubs outside of the Worthing 10’s Festival – the Basford girls really appreciate the long journey made by Worthing and hope they enjoyed the day.

The game was played with 14 a side, with Worthing taking the kick off to start the game. Basford immediately started to press forward and took the ball into the Worthing half. Unfortunately, an intercepted pass led to the Worthing no 12 making the most of her pace, and she streaked away for the first score of the game with the Basford girls left for dead. An excellent kick took the extra points and Worthing led 0 – 7.
Going behind seemed to spur the Basford girls on and after two tries being ‘held up’ by some great Worthing defence, Sophie managed to get the ball down for the first Basford score 5 – 7.
A period of play between the 20m lines followed until the Basford forwards showed their dominance, pressing forward until Natalie managed to break the Worthing defence to score 10 – 7.
Basford continued to press forward through their pack, with the Basford ‘wing prop’ Sarah C making a storming run with three defenders hanging onto her! Some excellent Worthing defence led to another three opportunities being ‘held up’, until Sophie again, running from scrum half, managed to score her second 15 – 7, which was promptly followed by her hat trick (Cheers for the jug Dom!) 20 – 7 at half time.

The second half started with Worthing again being quicker out the blocks and providing the first score of the half 20 – 12.
Again this spurred the Basford girls on, and they pressed forward winning a penalty on the Worthing 20m line. The ball came out to the backs, with Frenchie making a good run up to the 5m line. The ball eventually came out to Shivy who crossed the line for a Basford score 25 – 12.
Basford continued to dominate territory and following a line-out on the 5m line, Natalie run in to score her second 30 – 12.
The Basford girls then produced the best move of the game – just outside their own 20m, Charlie took the ball in to contact, gave a great off-load to Frenchie who ran 35m, popped the ball to Sarah C, who then gave the ball for Natalie to score her hat trick (Cheers for the jug Tony!) – a great move and a great try 35 – 12.
Having done it once, Basford repeated the feat with another great move that led to Sarah C scoring a much deserved try, to make the final score 40 – 12.

Again, many thanks to Worthing for making the journey, and well done to the Worthing girls for putting up such stout resistance – we all hope that the player who had to be carried off after being injured in the last tackle of the game makes a speedy recovery. We look forward to meeting you all again later in the season.


Final result: Rochford / Basildon 40 – Worthing RFC 12.

U15's v Worthing.

Despite the weather turning just before kick off, the U15's today put on an excellent display of team rugby.

We were pleased to welcome Worthing along to Rochford today and although we had taken part in their annual 10's Tournament for the past two years, we had never actually come up against them in a game.

We also welcomed two new players into the team today, Jessica (Clacton) and Olivia(Romford).

It would seem that word of the U15's ability is spreading, and we are starting to attract new players from around the county.

With the surface being greasy and the continuous drizzle making handling difficult the forwards played a tight game, keeping the ball in the pack and driving towards the Worthing line.
Once the forwards had gained the territorial advantage, the ball was swiftly fed to the backs who ran in 12 tries to set up a convincing win over their opponents.
The backs making use of the width of the pitch ran at spaces in the Worthing defense time and time again, and only some stirling defense by Worthing stopped the girls running up an even bigger score.
The traffic was not all one way and only some excellent defending meant that the girls again kept a clean sheet.

Well done to all the girls today it was a terrific performance from all of you.

Team

Megan (C)
Ellie
Mouse
Alex
Frances
Jessica
Yasmin
Layla
Maddy
Lucie
Abby
Olivia

Scorers

Tries: Layla(2), Ellie(2), Frances, Yasmin, Maddy, Lucie(2), Jessica(2), Olivia
Cons: Lucie (2) Yasmin(5)


Well done to all a terrific team display.

Memberships

Could all Girls please ensure that they have paid their club memberships to either Basildon or Rochford as without this you are not insured.

For those girls who are joining Basildon if you havent already had a membership pack please speak to Gavin who has plenty of spare packs.

For Rochford, please speak to either Tina or Paula.

If you do not have a membership you will not be able to play, as you will not be insured.

Sunday 28th Oct 07

This coming sunday (28th) we are at "Home" to Worthing.

Venue: Rochford RFC
K/O 1.30PM

Meet 12.30 pm

Could all girls please let either Paula or myself know if you are available for this game.

No1's are required for after the match.

Thanks

Phil

U15's @Rochford Festival

Well done to all the girls in the U15's squad who retained their hold on the Rochford Hundred Charity trophy this year.
The girls played 4 tough games and came away worthy winners.

In the first game against Aylesford B some excellent play by the forwards kept their opponents on the back foot allowing the backs to run in 6 tries, 3 of which were converted.

Tries: Alex 2, Jess, Abby 2, Lucie
Cons Lucie 3

The second game against Aylesford A proved to be a bruising encounter and although going behind to an early try from Aylesford, the girls fought back and crossed the line 3 times to ensure the 2nd victory of the day.

Tries: Alex, Layla, Ellie
Cons: Lucie 3

The 3rd Game against Hertford saw a changed side take to the field and both the backs and forwards played extremely well. The Basford girls again went behind to an early try but rallied to run in 8 tries in response

Tries: Ellie, Anna 2, Mouse, Abby 2, Alex, Yaz
Cons: Yaz 6

In the final game a draw would be suffice to retain the trophy but the girls wanting to finish on a high came up against old foes Welwyn with whom they have enjoyed many a fine battle.

For a change it did not take going behind to kick the girls into action, in fact they tore into welwyn from the off and quickly went over for the 1st of 5 tries.
Welwyn hit back with a fine effort from Courtney but on the day the Basford girls were just too strong.

Tries: Alex 2, Lucie, Abby, Anna.
Cons: yaz, Frances, Lucie

Well done to all the girls

Megan, Alex, Abby, Frances, Yasmin, Jess, Layla, Ellie, Lucie, Maddy, Alice,Mouse and Anna.

5th Annual Rochford Charity Rugby Festival

A warm sunny day in downtown Rochford was the setting for an excellent days rugby at both age groups.

Todays festival was in aid of the Little Havens Childrens Hospice in Thundersley, and in keeping with previous years there was a good turn out from the various clubs to ensure that as well as a full day of rugby on the board the club were able to raise much neededfunds for a well deserving charity.

A big thanks to Pete and Tina and ALL at Rochford who worked hard to ensure the day was a success.

U15's

Results

Aylesford Bulls B 0 Basford 36

Aylesford Bulls A 29 Hertford 17

Welwyn Warriors 31 Aylesford Bulls B 10

Basford 21 Aylesford Bulls A 10

Hertford 0 Welwyn Warriors 28

Aylesford Bulls A 10 Aylesford Bulls B 15

Basford 52 Hertford 7

Welwyn Warriors 19 Aylesford Bulls A 19

Aylesford Bulls B 25 Hertford 10

Basford 31 Welwyn Warriors 7

Table Standings

Basford 19 points

Welwyn 13 points

Aylesford A 10points

Aylesford B 9 points

Hertford 4 points

Congratulations to the Basford girls who retain the trophy for the second year.

U18's

All those sides taking part played some exceptional games of rugby which were as good an advertisment for Girls rubgy as you will see.

Unfortunately the individual team scores are not available at this time but the final standings in the group as as follows.

Final Standings

Basford 23 points

Westcliff 22 points

Welbeck College 15 points

Letchworth 15 points

Aylesford 13 points

Sudbury 12 points

Hertford 1 point

Unfortunately Hertford were forced to withdraw due to injuries early on in the competition

Congratulations to the Basford Girls for winning their age group.