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Sun 15 Mar 2020
Girls U14s
12:30
Waterfall tournament
Girls win at home waterfall
Will Morris30 Mar 2020 - 21:53
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Old school mud splash doesn't deter U13's
After 6 weeks with no proper rugby due to gales, Acts of God, aliens stealing our homework and other more bizarre obstacles, the U13 girls got their show back on the road in what proved to be the last act of the season at Olney. We hosted the regional U13 waterfall featuring Olney, Buckingham, Welwyn/Harpenden, Bletchley/Bedford and Ampthill in terrible, terrible conditions. Pouring rain, liquid pitches and a freezing wind. Suffice to say it didn't play to our brand of offloading running rugby.
The team consisted of Mimi (captain), Eva, Hattie, Evie, Bethany, Ella, Madeleine, Freyja, Nancy, Amelie and new girl Jessica.
First up we played Ampthill, who kicked off and despite playing up the hill kept Olney pinned on their line for for first five minutes of the game. Eventually the benefit of having two kickers was shown as we won a scrum, Ella hooked smoothly, Evie picked and passed to Eva who put her footballing skills to use and made 20 metres, no mean feat in a howling gale. After the initial fury Ampthill never really got back into the game. Some aggressive rucking secured possession and Eva scooted in for her first try. Mimi followed shortly afterwards and Eva then added two more to seal the deal. There was some excellent running from Madeleine, who must be in the running for best newcomer this season. Given the layoff there was some good rugby played, although there was a distinct amount of rust about some of the passing.
Up next were Buckingham. Four matches so far this season but honours more or less even, with the epic thrashing of them at their shop standing out as one of the highlights of the winter. This was another tough game, with the teams being evenly matched. There was some excellent tackling from both Bethany on the outside and Hattie in the middle. Buckingham had the better of the rucks, although Ella managed to hammer through a couple. Ella's last two outings have seen her come into the full potential she offers at hooker - strong running, good technique in the scrum and a much-improved work rate. The teams exchanged tries with Eva again getting on the scoresheet. What looked to be heading for draw was rescued by a captain's try from Mimi, who glided through the midfield (how? it was liquid mud!) and then showed strength to take a tackler over the line with her.
Welwyn were the only team there with whom we hadn't played so far this season. They beat a fast-improving Olney team 6-1 at the end of last season with their U15 girls going to the national cup final as well. They started well and proved to be a cut above the opposition we have seen all season. Two strong and quick forwards rucked excellently, with the tendency of the Olney girls to hesitate before committing being found out. Nancy did some sterling work in midfield, once again amazing all that she is still a Year 7. Every time we made good field position, the ball would be driven over or snaffled and back to square one. Despite this the defence worked hard to resist what looked like it could become a landslide. Eva, surprise surprise, pulled one back after Welwyn had crossed twice. They scored again to leave the final score 3-1. All credit to them, well-drilled and strength in depth are hard to beat.
In the final game we played Bletchley/Bedford combined, which was slightly surreal as we have played with Bedford for most of the season. This was right at the end of the tether stuff, freezing cold and miserable. It was a case of who cracked first and the Olney girls roared back with a vengeance. New girl Jessica made some strong runs to gain ground and Hattie continued her marvellous season before being forced off injured. Tries came from Mimi and Eva, but their monopoly was broken by Evie, Amelie and Freyja. Very good to see Evie's hard work rewarded, as she has the unenviable task of playing scrum half in three girls scrums. Invariably the ball is scruffy and the scrum half gets hit but she has taken the rough with the smooth. Amelie and Freyja will be back in the U13s next season so more to come from them.
So, three wins from four. In open conditions we might have had a chance in the other game too. All credit to the girls for toughing it out to the end, team kits were unidentifiable by the finish. If this is the final game of the season, what as season it has been. Winning the vast majority of our games, beating local powerhouses like ON's, Eva scoring 40 plus tries, over 20 girls turning out for the U13s at some stage. Well done to all who played and trained, you've been a credit to the club.
The team consisted of Mimi (captain), Eva, Hattie, Evie, Bethany, Ella, Madeleine, Freyja, Nancy, Amelie and new girl Jessica.
First up we played Ampthill, who kicked off and despite playing up the hill kept Olney pinned on their line for for first five minutes of the game. Eventually the benefit of having two kickers was shown as we won a scrum, Ella hooked smoothly, Evie picked and passed to Eva who put her footballing skills to use and made 20 metres, no mean feat in a howling gale. After the initial fury Ampthill never really got back into the game. Some aggressive rucking secured possession and Eva scooted in for her first try. Mimi followed shortly afterwards and Eva then added two more to seal the deal. There was some excellent running from Madeleine, who must be in the running for best newcomer this season. Given the layoff there was some good rugby played, although there was a distinct amount of rust about some of the passing.
Up next were Buckingham. Four matches so far this season but honours more or less even, with the epic thrashing of them at their shop standing out as one of the highlights of the winter. This was another tough game, with the teams being evenly matched. There was some excellent tackling from both Bethany on the outside and Hattie in the middle. Buckingham had the better of the rucks, although Ella managed to hammer through a couple. Ella's last two outings have seen her come into the full potential she offers at hooker - strong running, good technique in the scrum and a much-improved work rate. The teams exchanged tries with Eva again getting on the scoresheet. What looked to be heading for draw was rescued by a captain's try from Mimi, who glided through the midfield (how? it was liquid mud!) and then showed strength to take a tackler over the line with her.
Welwyn were the only team there with whom we hadn't played so far this season. They beat a fast-improving Olney team 6-1 at the end of last season with their U15 girls going to the national cup final as well. They started well and proved to be a cut above the opposition we have seen all season. Two strong and quick forwards rucked excellently, with the tendency of the Olney girls to hesitate before committing being found out. Nancy did some sterling work in midfield, once again amazing all that she is still a Year 7. Every time we made good field position, the ball would be driven over or snaffled and back to square one. Despite this the defence worked hard to resist what looked like it could become a landslide. Eva, surprise surprise, pulled one back after Welwyn had crossed twice. They scored again to leave the final score 3-1. All credit to them, well-drilled and strength in depth are hard to beat.
In the final game we played Bletchley/Bedford combined, which was slightly surreal as we have played with Bedford for most of the season. This was right at the end of the tether stuff, freezing cold and miserable. It was a case of who cracked first and the Olney girls roared back with a vengeance. New girl Jessica made some strong runs to gain ground and Hattie continued her marvellous season before being forced off injured. Tries came from Mimi and Eva, but their monopoly was broken by Evie, Amelie and Freyja. Very good to see Evie's hard work rewarded, as she has the unenviable task of playing scrum half in three girls scrums. Invariably the ball is scruffy and the scrum half gets hit but she has taken the rough with the smooth. Amelie and Freyja will be back in the U13s next season so more to come from them.
So, three wins from four. In open conditions we might have had a chance in the other game too. All credit to the girls for toughing it out to the end, team kits were unidentifiable by the finish. If this is the final game of the season, what as season it has been. Winning the vast majority of our games, beating local powerhouses like ON's, Eva scoring 40 plus tries, over 20 girls turning out for the U13s at some stage. Well done to all who played and trained, you've been a credit to the club.
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