Thames Valley (TV) made a nervous kick off at this Young Women’s Regional match, and the South East (SE) elected to take a scrum, the first of many positive decisions by the home team.  The visitors tackled well and cut short driving attacks on a number of occasions.  But, inside five minutes the SE team were awarded a 5-metre scrum and chose to keep the ball close, TV defended well, but valiant passing from number 8 Sarah Glasspool, to blind side flanker Jade Binskin Barnes led to the first try.

Again, from the restart SE set up good rucks, which were well cleared out by Sarah Beecham-Linton.  The home team had the majority of possession, spending the first 20 minutes inside the away team’s 22.  Nevertheless a combination, of strong defence by Thames Valley and simple errors by the SE team led to stalemate.

SE had the stronger forwards and superior hooking by captain Alice Pettitt ensured they won all their own ball and stole most of the visitors’.  Following such a turnover, the backs realigned quickly, passed the ball wide and Victoria Perkins showed their winger a clean pair of heels.

Shortly after that, SE repeated the process and Perkins speed left the defence clawing at space and she scored her second try under the posts – which was converted by Liddie Terry.

A good few changes were made in the second half and SE started strongly, with Lisa Miller making a crunching tackle to secure the ball, after recycling and winning a penalty, she then drove over the try line.  The try was converted.

More changes were made and the Gregory Girls worked extremely well together to take the ball from the home 22 to the oppositions.  Excellent handling and control led to the ball being passed wide on the opposite side of the pitch and one last pass would have secured a further try – frustrating for all the keen, hopeful spectators.

The SE forwards once again won the set piece and prop; Lisa Miller, went over for her second try of the match, which was cleanly converted.

Following an outstanding display of 15 person, team rugby, where the ball was recycled through a number of phases, the speedy winger, Vicky Perkins went over for her hat trick try!

SE relaxed a bit then and let the otherwise rock solid defence crack, which allowed TV a bit of space to score a try a few minutes before the final whistle.

Both squads can be proud of the attitude and spirit in which this game was played.  The tackling was decisive and powerful and recycling first-rate.  SE will be pleased with their performance, and are eagerly anticipating the Regional Festival held at Rugby School on 1^st May.

South East Squad

Katie Smith, Alice Pettitt (C), Lisa Miller (2T), Minty Meade, Sarah Beecham-Linton, Jade Binskin-Barnes(1T), Heike Neimand, Sarah Glasspool (1T), Victoria Claydon, Frankie Newby, Liddie Terry (3C), Harriet Lamplugh de Smith (VC), Sam Campini, Bryony Simmons, Victoria Perkins (3T), Holly Datlen, Holly Hughes, Jessica Gregory, Claire Gregory, Sarah Jones, Sarah Munday, Nichola Rousell, Kirsty Slimming, Isabel Joris, Susannah Funnell

Report by

Mrs Maggie Watts, U17 Regional Manager
Maggiewattswatson@btopenworld.com