Haringey Ladies make it 2 from 2

Haringey Ladies welcome Hamsptead to Rhino HQ

Fresh off last week’s win over Royston, Haringey faced long-time rivals Hampstead at home for the second game of the season.

Haringey were first to kick off and learning from past experience immediately put pressure on the Hampstead attack, forcing turnovers in open play and playing quick ball off the ruck. Hampstead were equally formidable in their pressure, taking advantage of penalties and making use of their 10’s boot to come within yards of their goal line several times. However, the Rhinos’ persistence were rewarded in the first half with two tries from Louise Bonnet and Emma Langley, and a boost of confidence at half-time.

Small setbacks occured when Louise Waldock had to be taken off with a shoulder injury after stellar work in her second game as centre, followed by scrum half and playmaker Noemi Nemes with an ankle injury. Aine McMahon easily stepped in as 9 to keep up the momentum, and Fran Gamble, in her first time ever playing rugby, immediately made an impact on the pitch with a quick fire try and a second one soon after following Shauna Kiernan’s breaking of the defence down the centre of the pitch.

This set the ball rolling for the rest of the second half as Molly McNamara, not to be outdone, earned her Player of the Match award with fantastic support play and two tries of her own, Holly Mee more than earned her winger stripes with some fancy footwork to make her mark on the scorecard, and Rhiannon Ellis crossed the line for her last game before her departure to university.

Bonnet’s third and final successful conversion signalled the end of the game and a well-deserved 46-0 win to Haringey. Huge credit to Catherine Kenny and Fran Gamble for their rugby and Rhino debuts, and warm welcomes back to Emma Langley (Biggest Hit award), captain Aimee Foulkes and Marianela Gimenez-Asis. Dick of the Day (and the Rhino Head of Shame) was awarded to Sam Shirley, who despite being a veteran and stalwart of the team for the whole match, forgot for 5 seconds that you have to run forward and not backwards once you have received the ball…

Thank you to everyone who came down to support. Was great to have so many cheers from the sidelines. Again a big thank you to Chantelle from Haringey Girls who ran our water.