18s Girls Runners Up at National 7s

After a long season, the girls had the usual season ending National 7s tournament to provide the fitting finale. We took a strong squad of players up to this tough tournament where the sides were split into two pools of six sides feeding into a set of finals as each position played their opposite number. So just six games over the course of the day to keep the girls busy.

We started against the Cornish side, Liskeard Leopards and took the lead through a try by Izzy Collis which was soon wiped out by a Liskeard score. Jess Breach put us ahead just before the break to give Boro a 12-7 lead. That was as close as Liskeard got as Boro eased away in the second half with further tries from Lucy Elliott, Jess and Lily Dibb-Fuller and won by 29-7.

Gosford All Blacks provided our next opposition and Boro were soon in control with two tries from Jess and one from Lily giving the girls a 19-0 lead at half time. The girls did not let up in the second half and three more tries from Bluebell Nicholls and Charlotte and Ellie Gisbourne made the final score 36-0.

The girls were growing in confidence and this was clear against Lancashire Roses with two tries each from Jess and Ellie putting Boro ahead 22-0 at the break. Further tries from Charlotte Williams, Izzy and Charlotte G were more than enough despite Lancashire’s late response and Boro won 39-5.

Due to a quirk of the draw, the girls still had their two toughest matches to play and next up were Esher. They proved more than up to the task and scores from Erin Collins, Jess and Izzy gave the team a comfortable 17-0 lead at the break. Things were tighter in the second half and a solitary score from Jess gave a 22-0 win.

Lastly in the pool phase, came hosts Lichfield who were also unbeaten so this was essentially a semi final to decide who would play in the cup final and who would go to the plate. Unsurprisingly, this was a full on encounter and Lichfield put our girls under some real pressure as the two sides traded scores but a score just before half time meant Boro had their noses in front 12-7. Things did not ease off in the second but Lichfield could not breach the girls’ defence and two further tries to give Jess all four of ours in the match meant a 24-7 win and a place in the National Final.

Berks BaaBaas lay in wait and, for the third tournament in a row, we knew we would be in for a tough game. Berks had the early pressure and scored a couple of early tries despite some outstanding defence from our girls and another Jess score late in the half kept Boro in the game at 10-7 as the teams changed ends. Berks extended their lead once more but the girls came and, again, Jess kept the girls in it. However, it was not to be and a quick tap penalty undid the Boro defence one last time for Berks to run out winners 24-12.

The girls should hold their heads up high as they had played some outstanding rugby and ultimately lost to a really high quality side. Whilst there was disappointment at the defeat, the girls all knew they had given it their all and a National Final’s not a bad way to end what has been a cracking season.

We would like to wish those girls who now move on to women’s rugby all the best for their future careers, both those who played at this tournament – Izzy and Charlotte G – and those who missed out due to injury – Emily Bourne and Hannah Cole. I know all the girls would like me to add their thanks to the coaches this season for all their help and support molding the talents that we have within the squad.