Shira Maddie, Lucie, Ellie,Charlie, Olivia, Hannah, Abbie
In response to the Hertford rugby clubs manager's request for girls to make up a squad of 12 players, 5 of our girls, Olivia, Maddie, Hannah, Lucie and Abi Graham, arrived at the Herts 7’s tournament simply hoping for some game time. With only 3 of the Hertford players turning up the girls quickly realised that they in fact had to play in every game, for the full period, with a limited replacement capability.
The first pool match of the competition was against Saracens, who had also been on recruitment drive from teams throughout Middlesex. The first few minutes were keenly contested, with very little being gained by both sides. The opening try scored by Abi, after some very good handling work, was quickly extended with tries by Shira, Olivia, Lucie and Hannah.
The second game against Wasps was a very one sided affair and strong running by Charlie Faloona (Hertford) resulted in her scoring 3 tries, with the others coming from Olivia, Hannah, Lucie, Shira and Maddie.
Paviors, the strongest opponents, was the next match in the pool. Paviors gained the upper hand, by scoring 2 tries in the first half. The 2nd half started badly with Paviors scoring within the first minute but the change at half time saw a more determined and aggressive approach. Olivia got the first try, running virtually the whole length of the pitch to score. From the restart Olivia scored again and from then on the Paviors line was continually under attack. Two ignored penalties would have allowed the girls to equal the score but this was not to be and the game ended 17-10 to Paviors.
Oakmedians were the final pool game and the frustrations of the last match were released as the girls went on as clear winners by over 40 points.
The Plate semi Final was against Plymouth, whose average height per player was near to 6 feet. A dogged determination from the start resulted in early tries and the team went on to win very convincingly, with tries by Olivia, Hannah, Lucie, Shira and Charlie.
The girls looked very tired and dejected before the final against Burfield. With very little chance of a rest and the cold, wet weather taking its toll they had to focus on the game. Burfield took their chance and scored the opening try but this simply made the girls ever more stubborn, refusing to hand over the trophy. The next phase of play saw the Hertford girls equalise and then with even more single mindedness they pulled away, being clear winners by the end. Final score 45-7 to Herts.
It was a great day with the girls playing the best rugby displayed all season, at every level. Coaches and players from many other teams made a concerted effort to watch our girls play, openly applauding and cheering on our girls for their rugby skills.
The first pool match of the competition was against Saracens, who had also been on recruitment drive from teams throughout Middlesex. The first few minutes were keenly contested, with very little being gained by both sides. The opening try scored by Abi, after some very good handling work, was quickly extended with tries by Shira, Olivia, Lucie and Hannah.
The second game against Wasps was a very one sided affair and strong running by Charlie Faloona (Hertford) resulted in her scoring 3 tries, with the others coming from Olivia, Hannah, Lucie, Shira and Maddie.
Paviors, the strongest opponents, was the next match in the pool. Paviors gained the upper hand, by scoring 2 tries in the first half. The 2nd half started badly with Paviors scoring within the first minute but the change at half time saw a more determined and aggressive approach. Olivia got the first try, running virtually the whole length of the pitch to score. From the restart Olivia scored again and from then on the Paviors line was continually under attack. Two ignored penalties would have allowed the girls to equal the score but this was not to be and the game ended 17-10 to Paviors.
Oakmedians were the final pool game and the frustrations of the last match were released as the girls went on as clear winners by over 40 points.
The Plate semi Final was against Plymouth, whose average height per player was near to 6 feet. A dogged determination from the start resulted in early tries and the team went on to win very convincingly, with tries by Olivia, Hannah, Lucie, Shira and Charlie.
The girls looked very tired and dejected before the final against Burfield. With very little chance of a rest and the cold, wet weather taking its toll they had to focus on the game. Burfield took their chance and scored the opening try but this simply made the girls ever more stubborn, refusing to hand over the trophy. The next phase of play saw the Hertford girls equalise and then with even more single mindedness they pulled away, being clear winners by the end. Final score 45-7 to Herts.
It was a great day with the girls playing the best rugby displayed all season, at every level. Coaches and players from many other teams made a concerted effort to watch our girls play, openly applauding and cheering on our girls for their rugby skills.
report courtesy of Jeff Stembridge
