u15s Girls work out at Quins

With a number of the squad out for divisional duties, plus absences for holidays and injury, it was always going to be a challenging day for the 10 girls who made it up to Quins. Not only were there a few playing out of position, but with no subs they would have to play every minute of four games.

The first game saw a short bout of festival fever; the symptoms being a slow start against Sutton and Epsom, a team we have beaten twice this season. Some tickle tackles led to some easy tries against us before we woke up and stemmed the flow with a score from Lottie. We finished down four tries to one.

Next up the girls of Medway, which offered a more even score of two tries each, as the Pulborough girls started to find their rhythm and confidence. Both our tries were scored by Lottie, who was very much enjoying her new role at inside centre.

What seemed like a vast pitch offered acres of space to both teams, and much depended on making the tackles or losing out to runaway tries. The fitness of girls on all teams was put to the test, and our small squad was certainly starting to feel the effects of an Easter break as we worked hard to close down the space.

Our third match was against the eventual winners, London Scottish/Old Emmanuel, and the Pulborough girls courageously stepped up a gear. It felt like a tight match, losing 3 tries to 1, with Lottie again on the score sheet, but all the girls now working together.

Finally we were up against a large Worthing squad, a team we are getting to know all too well, not least because of the great battles we have with them. This was no exception, with a very even game only marred by Imo suffering a torn ligament, and the ref not spotting that a Worthing girl was stripped of the ball over the try line, after a 30m chase back by Lauren - hence should be no try.... (but who is to quibble...)

The highlight of the game (and perhaps the day) was to see the scrum hold up so well, and see a rehearsed back row move work at full speed to deliver a try to Chloe on the wing in text book fashion. This will bring confidence to the girls to perform like this under pressure and be imaginative in our preparation for the next two festivals we have to play.

So despite losing the last match 2 tries to 1, the girls had a great day out, really dug deep and improved significantly over the tournament. Just such a shame about Imo, who was a real tigress throughout, showing her usual hunger for every loose ball. The day was then capped off by them participating in the half time game in the Stoop in front of 15,000 or so rugby enthusiasts.

Some special mentions would go to Hannah, for doing a great job of moving from the forwards to the backs for the day. Lottie, for powerful running and loads of grit to break the line a number of times. Chloe, who offered great handling on the wing, and dug us out of pressure situations on our own try line a number of times. And finally the forwards and Amy at scrum half, who gave the backs such a good platform to play off.

And the coaches player of the day (as voted for by Keith), would be Lauren, who’s normally high rate of tackling and work rate was taken to new heights, as she covered every piece of ground covering the defence, as well as a great job distributing the ball from fly half in attack.

Well done all.