RIPON/HARROGATE V DONCASTER/SHEFFIELD SUNDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2017

MATCH REPORT – RIPON/HARROGATE V DONCASTER/SHEFFIELD SUNDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2017

A combined Ripon/Harrogate team played a combined Doncaster/Sheffield team on a cold, rainy and windy day but on a mud-free pitch! With only half an hour to warm up, and to come up with a game plan to work to, this would be a good test for the girls. But from the kick-off it looked as though they had played together week in and week out. The forwards carried hard and were looking for work all through the game. Rucks were won and we turned the ball over a couple of times. The scrum was solid, even with one of the Harrogate girls playing hooker for the first time!With us securing the ball, the backs had lots of opportunities to run and put the ball through hands. It was a real arm-wrestle for most of the first half with both defences tackling hard. Doncaster/Sheffield broke our line and scored just before half-time but failed to convert – 5-0 at half-time.Half-time chat was just to keep the pressure on and gaps would appear. The second half started and we went straight on the attack. Through good forward pressure, we got in behind them and swift passing led to Alice scoring in the corner. Try not converted, the score was 5-5. In a very physical game, the opposition had a couple of injuries and lost momentum whereas we built momentum and pressure. From a scrum on our 10 metre line, Abi passed to Alice, who then passed out to Kathryn; she took the ball at pace and broke their defence on the half way line and scored under the posts. Abi converted, the score was now 5-12. Doncaster then went back up to full strength and really put us “under the pumps” with two girls having power and pace; they got in behind our defence and scored in the corner – unconverted try; the score was now 10-12. At this point special mention goes to Neeve, our fullback, who stemmed their attacks with three cover tackles; I doubt I will see any better technique in any form of rugby, male or female. The last couple of minutes were frantic; the opposition won a penalty and kicked for touch. From the lineout, Helen came to the fore and out-jumped them, drove up field and when the game broke down full-time was blown.Well done to all who played – what a great team effort!