Olney Girls hit the road

After 3 training sessions the new girls’ team travelled to Buckingham to play in the first tournament of the season. We teamed up with Bletchley but provided 9 of the 12 players. The other teams entered were Towcester and Buckingham, with a couple of late dropouts. The team was Jess (captain), Charlie, Eva, Lottie, Mimi, Hollie, Hattie, Bethany and Ella (Molly, who had trained hard, was unavailable).
This was undeniably a tough day at the office for Olney, who exhibited outstanding team spirit and commitment throughout. We played teams who had been together for a year or more, and who had a majority of girls in Year 8. The ability to play a rucking game is something that will come with practice and we certainly have the players to trouble the opposition. In the four games that we played, the leap in confidence and quality was visible as the girls played themselves into the real world of rugby. There was some excellent defence all round, with multiple try saving tackles from Eva, Bethany and Hollie. Line breaking runs were made by Jess, who made more yards all day than most in the tournament, Lottie and Ella. Charlie and Hattie, who also linked well, produced some good rucking and recoveries of loose balls. Mimi took on kicking duties and showed creativity, scoring the try of the day.
The club, coaches and parents should be very proud of the effort from the girls, who never gave up and showed great fighting spirit. The team has a great deal or promise and will produce some excellent results before too long.