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SUNDAY 12TH NOVEMBER 2006 AT LEWES RFC
GIRL’S UNDER 17 - COUNTY RUGBY
SUSSEX DEV SQUAD v HAMPSHIRE DEV SQUAD
Hampshire travelled to Lewes with a squad of 16 girls and were looking forward to a hard game of 15 a side with contested scrums. Unfortunately Sussex were only able to put 12 together on the day, and did not have an experienced front row, and so after lengthy deliberation it was decided that the match was to be played with 12 a side and with uncontested scrums – a great disappointment to the Hampshire girls.
The delay in kick off and the last minute change of formation unsettled the Hampshire team, and they conceded an early try, having been forced effectively back into their 22 from the kick off, despite some courageous defensive play. They regrouped and went back at Sussex with vengeance, with some strong and aggressive play in the contact area. Eventually their determination paid dividends, and after turning over possession from a lineout just outside their 22 the Hants girls put together a couple of offloads in a narrow channel along the right of the pitch, resulting in prop Sheree Cooper driving over the line to score. An onslaught of gritty rugby followed between the two evenly matched teams, but with neither side able to penetrate in the remainder of the half – the score remaining at 5 -5
Having received possession from the restart, Hampshire were working steadily towards the half way line, showing better shape and structure, however the powerful Sussex outside centre seized upon an opportune interception, and broke away for their second try. Undeterred the Hampshire girls went back with even more determination but failed to use the width in attack, and lost the ball in the contact area. Having missed touch from a penalty in their own half, Sussex quickly retained possession in the Hampshire 22 having followed the kick up and charged through for their third try. 15-5
Keen not to let the game slip away Hampshire showed real team spirit, although on occasion their passion overruled their brains, and they lost possession by taking the ball too far, and presenting it badly in the contact area. That said, pure determination prevailed and Josie Gittoes eventually broke through for Hampshire for a very well deserved try. With no conversion the score was now 15 – 10 to the hosts.
The Hampshire girls let their concentration slip momentarily after scoring, and the powerful centre pairing from Sussex managed to break away again along the left touch line for their fourth try of the day.
With less than 10 minutes left, the Hampshire team regrouped again, upping their work rate and efficiency, and totally dominated play- not leaving the Sussex 22. However their efforts were thwarted when, after the ball had been carried over the try line, the referee and touch judge could not be sure the ball had been grounded correctly, and so did not award the try, and the final whistle was blown.
Final Score 20 – 10 to our worthy opponents, a fair reflection of a hard fought and physical game. Sussex probably had the edge because they were more effective in the contact area – close support and a well presented ball often allowed them to exploit their possession.
Squad List
Sheree Cooper – Basingstoke RFC
Adele Harper – Portsmouth RFC
Nicola Brooks – Petersfield RFC
Daisy Martinelli (C)- Portsmouth
Sam Gait – Andover RFC
Josie Gittoes – Havant RFC
Jenny Forbes – Petersfield RFC
Katie Pryce – Petersfield RFC
Sam Turner – Havant RFC
Sarah Sage – Havant RFC
Sam Beckett – Havant RFC
Hannah Masterton – Portsmouth RFC
Sam Bannard – Havant RFC
Jade Moss – Havant RFC
Rebecca Fereday –Basingstoke RFC
Lavinia Randall – Havant RFC
Megan Horwood – Basingstoke RFC
Rachel Berry – Portsmouth RFC |
