U18s vs Hampshire Development

December 7th, 2007

Whilst our U5s were travelling to Sussex, the Eastern Counties U18s drove all the way to Andover for a game (a mere 175 miles from Ipswich!) against a Hampshire Development Squad. We came our closest yet to fielding a full team, with 14 girls and several dedicated parents travelling to Hampshire.

For the record, the team consisted of:
Victoria Haile - Woodbridge
Bonney Povey - Westbourne High School
Roxanne Richardson - Peterborough
Stacey Hargrave - Sudbury
Heather Stammers - Sudbury
Ellie Clark - Westbourne High School
Natalie Leggett - Swaffham
Sasha Acheson - Sudbury
Jessica Ryan - Sudbury
Jamie Maxwell Tingey - Sudbury
Natasha Mealing - Sudbury
Charlotte Burfoot - St Josephs College
Connie Ngai - St Josephs College
Harriett McKendrick - St Josephs College
By the time we arrived, Hants had not only organised 12 players to host us, but had ensured that the torrential rain through which we had driven had been replaced by watery December sunshine. By kickoff, our hosts matched us for numbers, with the arrival of two players from the Isle of Wight whose ferry had been delayed by high winds.

Hampshire were excellent hosts, and made the trip well worthwhile, even though they won by 15-5 in an exciting and hard-fought match. This was no great surprise when you consider that we fielded no less than 6 players with very limited experience of playing 15-a-side rugby. You would never have guessed it, and all have good reason to be very proud of themselves.

3 Beginners from
Westbourne and Swaffham

Our more experienced players likewise did themselves proud, with Stacey Hargrave having particular cause to be satisfied with the quality of her loose forward play in both defence and attack. Jaymie Maxwell-Tingey scored our one try off the left wing with a trademark curving run.

So - a good day to round off the ‘county season’. With the “Girls Play!” programme running over the next few months, there is plenty of opportunity for us all to bring more players into the game so that we have a bigger pool to draw from next autumn. We have some excellent players - we just need a few more!
Finally, very many thanks to Eulalie as Team Manager (and her willing assistant Jennie Stammers), the two Andys as coaches, and the parents. It’s been hard work, but worthwhile.

3 Beginners from St Josephs College (plus one who is NOT a beginner!)

County Team Autumn 2007 | Comments | Trackback