Under 16 Girls
Matches
Sun 15 Mar 2020
Welwyn RFC
Under 16 Girls
34
10
Horsham
U15 Girls Crowned London & South East Champions

U15 Girls Crowned London & South East Champions

Jonathan Cirkel17 Mar 2020 - 08:25
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Champions for the 2nd year running with good win over Horsham. Girls progress, Coronavirus permitting, to National Semi-Finals.

It was evident during the warm-up that the girls had gone home from the previous day’s training and overnight had focused themselves for the match. The handling was back to its best and rucking was looking promising.

The team returned to the changing room for the final team talk and ran on to the pitch to a round of applause from the spectators. The girls made a steady start securing possession of the ball and working through the phases. The pressure resulted in a penalty to Welwyn which was kicked to touch inside Horsham’s twenty-two. Unfortunately, the ball was fumbled giving possession back to Horsham who built a good counter-attack. Welwyn’s line speed was good which put pressure back on Horsham forcing a knock-on. The Welwyn scrum was looking very strong and with the ball secured it was worked back through the forwards and backs towards Horsham’s try line. With the ball in hand Katie Drage made a run for the line and touched the ball down for the first try of the match.

The try had woken Horsham up and from the restart it was game on. Welwyn’s scrum continued to dominate, but their line-out was not quite working. Horsham’s back line started to show their talent, particularly in the centres where there was some real pace. Luckily Millie Hare was putting in her usual shift as fullback with some great cover tackling keeping Horsham away from the try line.

Another turnover in the scrum saw the girls work their way back up the pitch and progress was helped by a number of infringements from Horsham leading to penalties. Unfortunately, Welwyn knocked the ball on just short of the line and from the resulting scrum Madeline Robb ripped the ball from the scrum half and touch down for a try. Just as the conversion was about to be kicked the touch judge spoke with the ref and the try was disallowed as it was deemed that Madeline had gone past the centre-line of the scrum before the ball was out. From the re-start Welwyn were fortunate to regain possession and did not waste any time getting the ball through the hands with Cayla DuPlessis scoring under the posts. Ruby Chesterman-Smith slotted the ball over to convert the try. Welwyn 12 – Horsham 0. Welwyn were roaring at this point and from the re-start they wasted no time running the ball hard at Horsham and soon Katie crossed for her second try of the game.

Horsham were not done at this point and with Welwyn making a number of infringements resulting in penalties, Horsham were able to build some pressure and momentum. Once inside Welwyn’s twenty-two and following further infringements for off-side there was a certain inevitability that Horsham were going to cross the line. On the stroke of half time they scored and with the conversion missed it was Welwyn 17 – Horsham 5.

With the seven substitutions made the second half kicked off. This is always a dangerous time and with Horsham fired up after their score, there was immediate pressure on Welwyn and with some players slow to react Horsham were able to use the pace in their back line to score a great try in the opening minute of the half. Welwyn 17 – Horsham 10. Game on.
Full credit to Welwyn though, as they reset themselves and didn’t panic and started pushing back at Horsham. Welwyn were back in control and looking for their next score. Following a horrible high tackle on Katie the team found their aggression and started throwing everything at Horsham. Abbie Ambrose took the ball a few metres out and as she has shown all season there is no stopping her from this position, try Welwyn.
With the ball safely gathered from the restart, Welwyn wasted no time in getting back into Horsham’s half. Still Horsham were not done, they started to apply pressure on the Welwyn scrum pushing this back a number of times; however, with some good footwork and brave play from Darcey Lythall as scrum half Welwyn were able to maintain procession. Welwyn jumped on a loose ball and with ball in hand Livi-Grace Hunt made a brilliant break, throwing a dummy and side stepping a few players before crossing the line and running over to touch down under the posts. Ruby stepped up and converted. Welwyn 29 – Horsham 10.

With fifteen minutes remaining it was just starting to look like there was no way back for Horsham. Welwyn were now fully awake. Again, from the restart the ball was quickly carried into Horsham’s half which was where pretty much the remainder of the game was played. With some determined defending from Horsham, Welwyn had to show patience and work through the phases. With a scrum five metres out, we knew what was coming, a number eight pick up from Natalie Randall, and like so often this season she was not going to be stopped scoring. Welwyn 34- Horsham 10. Despite their best efforts Welwyn were not able to score again but kept Horsham contained. Final score Welwyn 34 – Horsham 10. Special mention to Maggie Bristow who was awarded ‘Welwyn’s Player of the Match’ by Horsham.

Great game and great result with Welwyn crowned London and South-East regional champions and through to the national semi-finals, should they go ahead, down to the last four teams in the country.

All the girls played well and contributed to this great result and deserve a mention, so well done to all of you:
Abbie Ambrose, Abbie Percival, Cayla DuPlessis, Charli Knibbs, Charlotte Lawrence, Clare Feeney, Darcey Lythall, Emily Hughes, Grace Webster, Jess Walker, Katie Drage, Livi-Grace Hunt, Lucy Bloomer, Madeline Robb, Maggie Bristow, Mia McHale, Millie Hare, Molly Mellett, Natalie Randall, Rachel Neilson, Ruby Chesterman-Smith and Sophia Botterman.

A big pat on the back to Horsham, they gave the girls one of their toughest games of the season and aside from one accidental high tackle, the game was played with great spirit.

Match details

Match date

Sun 15 Mar 2020

Kickoff

12:45

Meet time

11:00
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Girls Sponsor - Design4Structures
Club Sponsor - Ashtons