After concerns over weather and pitch conditions, the first round of the
Women’s regional competition got underway this weekend.  The North East,
Lucky enough to be given a home draw, took on teams from the North West and
Yorkshire in an all Northern encounter.  In cold and wet conditions the
Teams battled it out in a series of 40 minute games to determine their fate
In the next round of the draw.

North East v North West

The first match of the day saw the North East take on the North West in what
Proved to be a bruising encounter with both teams attacking and defending
Strongly.  Receiving the kick off the North East had the first possession
and started strongly with some powerful running from the backs and good
support play from the forwards probing gaps in the North West line.  The
North West responded well and some strong tacking saw them steal the ball,
this followed by some intelligent kicking by the North West number 10 Julie
Clegg sent the North East chasing back into their own half.  Good line out
work and tight play around the breakdown kept the North East pinned in their
own half.  The North East however picked up the standard and a series of
strong scrums and driving mauls saw them move out of danger and begin to
pull close to the North West line.  Eventually the pressure paid off, some
strong running and good interlinking play by scrum half Emma Lloyd opened up
space for fly half Nicole Bradshaw to drive over the line for the first try
of the match.

Half time score 

North East   5 (16th minute, Nicole Bradshaw)
North West  0

Snow in the second half made conditions hard for both sides.  The North West
came back strong and a series of penalties given away by the North East,
allowed them to kick down field to gain good territorial advantage.  The
North West dominated the lineouts and improvements in the scrum saw them
take control the early stages of the first half.  The North East responded
well and hard tackling by back row players Nell Gair and Rose Boldon cleared
the danger and allowed the North East to regain possession.  Strong running
in the backs opened up space out wide and quick hands released winger
Jennifer Edwards who showed blistering pace to score the North East’s second
try.

Full Time score North

East   10 (Nicole Bradshaw(16), Jennifer Edwards(35))
North West  0

Man of the Match
North East Nell Gair
North West Natasha Ornes

North East v Yorkshire

After success against the North West, the North East now set themselves
against Yorkshire.  From the kick off Yorkshire dominated the first half. 
Strong running  from the Yorkshire backs opened up the North East defence
and a well cut line almost saw no13 Geraldine Gorton breakthrough for a try. 
Sustained pressure from Yorkshire paid off and a succession of good passes
gave number 16 Karli Wilkinson space to cut through the North East defence
to go under the posts to score. Lindsay Munro converted the try to give
Yorkshire a 7 point lead.

Half Time Score  

North East  0
Yorkshire  7 (T-5mins, Karli Wilkinson/ C - Gemma Radford)

The North East started the second half positively.  Some tactical
substitutions brought on some fresh legs who were able to probe and cause
problems for the Yorkshire defence.  The North East kept possession well and
were rewarded with a sustained period of play camped on the Yorkshire try
line.  Lots of tight driving runs from the forwards took the North East
nearer to the precious try they needed.  Yorkshire however defended strongly
and the North East were unable to convert pressure to points.  Good work
from the Yorkshire forwards saw the ball stolen from a North East Maul, and
allowed Yorkshire to clear the ball to safety.  The North East fought to the
end and continued to pressurise, powerful running from the wingers and
fullback kept the North East going forward.  However Yorkshires defence
proved too strong and they were able hold onto their lead until fulltime.

Full Time Score   

North East  0
Yorkshire  7 (T-5mins, Karli Wilkinson C - Gemma Radford)

Man of the Match
North East Emma Lloyd
Yorkshire  Geraldine Gorton

North West v Yorkshire

The final game of the day saw the North West take on Yorkshire.  Both sides
began aggressively and some hard hits and bruising tackles made it a great
game to watch.  The Yorkshire centres continued to make ground with good
lines of running but where unable to break away.  While Yorkshire dominated
the backs the well drilled North West forwards took control of the set piece
and were able to provide a good solid platform for the North West to play
from.  With neither side able to penetrate it’s opponents defence the half
time score remained 0-0.

Half Time Score 

North West 0
Yorkshire 0

The second half saw a lot more tactical play from Yorkshire.  Some well
place kicks kept the North West pinned in their own half and only excellent
ball skills from the North West 15 Paula Berry prevented Yorkshire from
breaking through.  Again strong set piece gave the North West valuable
possession allowing them to ease the pressure and launch their own attacks 
With both sides battling to the end and neither willing to give an inch the
end result was a great game but a scoreless draw.

Man of the Match
North West  Karli Wilkinson
Yorkshire     Sian Davies

After a day of great rugby with all teams displaying some excellent skill
and ability.  There now comes the wait as the results from the Midlands and
Southern regions, are compiled and compared, to determine who will face who
in the next round of the competition.

North East Squad
1  Rachel Kerr (Thirsk)
2  Kathryn Henderson (Blaydon)
3  Alison Taylor (Blaydon)
4  Libby Jones (Blaydon)
5  Kaye Murray (Hartlepool)
6  Sarah Yule (Thirsk)
7  Nell Gair (Novos)
8  Natalie Badcock (Blaydon)
9  Emma Lloyd
10 Nicole Bradshaw (Berwick)
11 Jennifer Bradshaw
12 Karen Snell (Blaydon)
13 Catherine Arden (Blaydon)
14 frances Long staff (Blaydon)
15 Ashleigh Wright (Thirsk)
16 Odette Kenny
17 Caroline Davies
18 Rose Boldon (Berwick)
19 Laura Bradley (Durham)
20 Jessica Keaney (Durham)
21 Kate Newton
22 Tasmin Scales

North West Squad
1   Helen Doud
2   Christine O’Flynn
3   Vicky Paver
4   Hazel Sratford
5   Jennifer Aspinwall
6   Abigail Fry
7   Kat Evans
8   Jenny Evans
9   Anna O’Malley
10 Julie Clegg
11 Lucy Boyes
12 Natasha Ornes
13 Claire Green
14 Kat Hollinworth
15 Paula Berry
16 Sian Davies
17 Tina kwok
18 Laura Ferguson
19 Rachel German
20 Gemma Craven
21 Amy Jane Dutton
22.  Linda Buckton

Yorkshire
1   Jenny Pollington
2   Kate Delaney
3   Vicky Deval
4   Becky Leach
5   Gemma Shackleton
6   Helen Johnston
7   Kate Connor
8   Cat Morgan
9   Cat Jones
10  Gemma Radford
11  Lindsay Munro
12  Catherine Pringle
13  Geraldine Gorton
14  Zoe Hull
15  Kym Hammond
16  Karli Wilkinson
17  Cara Evans
18  Jo Ward
19  Louise Cosgrave
20  Alison Rusher
21  Helen Hartley
22  Sam Jameson