Women's Rugby Italy Tour 2006 - won 1, lost 1
The Police Sport UK Women's Rugby team, sponsored by Northgate Information Systems, undertook a successful tour to Venice, Italy at the end of September, taking on two Italian sides in high octane but contrasting matches.
The first game was against a northern Italy provincial side, and on first glance the opposition were young and fast. With a long bus journey and late kick off, the British Police team were raring to stretch their legs and the first 10 minutes didn't disappoint as they stamped their authority on the game. Taking advantage of their size and experience, the Police pack dominated set pieces with prop Sharon LYONS (West Mids) making a great impression. The forwards rumbled the team up the pitch and flanker Sonja CULL (Lothian and Borders) opened the account with a great low drive over the line.
The game continued in the same vein with crunching tackles crushing any counter attack from the italian side. New player winger Kelly ROURKE (West Yorks) made a great impression with two tries from well worked backs moves and her colleague number 8 Jess LANE (West Yorks) also touched down from the back of a scrum. The Italian side were keen to redress the balance and to their credit made ground into the Police 22. Flanker Hannah DAWSON (North Yorks) prevented any damage with a kick into touch and soon after the Police were on the attack again. In the second half the Police extended the lead with tries from Louise MOFFATT (Fife), Claire HERRIOTT (Lothian and Borders) and another for Cull off a quick line out. As the game wore on, the Italians wore out and the Police kept attacking to leave the final score 37-0.
The second game was a huge contrast to this late night encounter, played in the heat and humidity of the early afternoon and against an Italian Invitation side which included 7 international players. Immediately the Police were on the back foot as the strong Italian pack made great inroads up the pitch. The early onslaught was absorbed by good cover tackles and the Police regrouped to drive up pitch. This started a 30 minute period of dominance as the Police pack provided a textbook display of strong rolling mauls and continuity. Hannah DAWSON (North Yorks) and Alex PILKINGTON (Devon and Cornwall) led the charge and soon enough the Police were in a scoring position. Louise MOFFATT (Fife) went over for the first, converted by HERRIOTT (Lothian and Borders) and soon after another was on the cards for DAWSON who touched down from a rolling maul.
Scrum half Susie APPLEBY (Avon and Somerset) snuffed out the Italian counterattack as much as possible with some superb tackles but the Italians support play was too much for the Police and they scored twice in the last 10 minutes of the half to leave the scores at 12-10 to the Police at half time. As the heat increased, the Police's legs tired and into the early part of the second half the Italians started to gain confidence. Full back Cheryl THOMPSON (Northamptonshire) absorbed attacking kicks and made some excellent cover tackles to keep the opposition out but as the Italians moved the ball more, gaps appeared in the Police defence. Some excellent pacey runs from MOFFATT (Fife) and pick and drives from LANE (West Yorks) gave the Police some impetous but a series of dubious refereeing decisions gave the Italians the upper hand and they soon went over to score and take the lead. Into injury time the Police continued their campaign to counter attack but once again the referee proved to be the Italian's best chance to score and more penalties and leeway let the opposition in twice again to leave the final score 27-12 to the Italian Invitation side.
Despite a mixed result on the rugby front, the Police enjoyed fantastic hospitality from both teams and the opportunity to test their rugby on the European circuit. New players into the side bring optimism for the season ahead and the Police look forward to their forthcoming fixtures.
Player of the tour: Cheryl THOMPSON (Northamptonshire)
ATTACHED: team picture, Italy on the attack
POLICE TRIALS INFORMATION
The British Police Ladies Rugby squad are holding a two day trial eventon 1 and 2 November at Olney RFC, near Milton Keynes, incorporating training sessions, a tag rugby coaching morning for local school girls and a trials game against the British Army - and a few beers afterwards of course!
Anyone who works for the Police, whether an officer, staff or special, can come along to trials. Special Leave may be granted for trials and games and if you get selected you also get the chance to tour abroad, in recent years the section has visited Spain and France, playing national sides.
