Essex U18’s v Eastern Counties - Sunday 18th October 2009
The County U18 squad travelled to Wymondham in Norfolk on Sunday 18th Oct to play the opening game of the county programme against Eastern Counties.
Games between the two sides have been close fought affairs in the past and today was not expected to be any different.
With a couple of players missing due to illness, the County girls started with a relatively inexperienced pack, however they soon got into their stride and within the 1st 10 minute s had won 2 scrums against the head.
The pressure put on EC by the Essex forwards soon began to tell with our backs getting plenty of space to run at their defence with so many EC girls being pulled into rucks and mauls.
It wasn’t long before Essex opened the scoring with some terrific handling from Lucie, India and Ellie breaking the EC line for India to go over for the 1st of her tries.
The forwards were winning ball at every maul and with jen giving quick ball out to lucie at fly half our backs were continually running at their line.
Only some excellent defending from EC stopped the score rising until mid way through the 1st half when India swapped passes with Lucie and went over for her 2nd.
Before half time further scores were added with tries from Sam and Lucie with India converting 3 to give the Essex side a 26-0 lead.
With the coaches making a couple of substitutions at half time the Essex side quickly got into their stride again and some excellent play at a series of rucks saw the ball recycled 3 times and then popped to Sam to go over for her 2nd try.
By now the backs were playing some lovely rugby with the ball being continually switched across the park, and before long India had ran in 2 further tries to further increase the lead to 41-0.
In fairness to EC, although their attack was quickly thwarted on the rare occasions they ventured into the Essex half, they never gave up trying to get the ball released to their backs to have a go at the Essex defence.
As the game wore on the Essex superiority paid further dividends with tries by Ellie and Jen which were converted by india to give them a 53-0 lead.
Try of the game went to Amy who playing her 1st game at hooker as an u18 having moved up age bands this season, picked up the ball at the back of a ruck and ran through the EC defence to power over in the corner. India duly put away the conversion to give the Essex side a final 60-0 victory.
Team: Jemma Sommers, Amy Browne, Sam Smith, Cat Pugh, Megan Robson, Ellen Tysterman, Jen Mugglestone, Lucie Wood, India Harvey(Capt), Sophie Northfield, Tash Berbank, Becki Hurst, Ellie Gatlin, Daisy Richards, Lucy Claydon, Jade Evans, Emma Dorrington.
Essex County RFUW U18 Trials
All girls are invited to an open trial day, to be held on Sunday 27th September 2009 at Romford RFC, Crowlands, Crow Lane, Romford RM7 0EP. The purpose of the day is to select the 2009/2010 U18 girl’s rugby squads to represent Essex in their forthcoming County games.
Please note that these trials are open to any female player wishing to represent the County at the following age groups.
Under 18 – school years 11, 12, & 13
Registration will be held between 10:00am and 11:00am and the day should finish at approximately 15:30. Please bring plenty to drink and eat if you wish, but Romford will be selling the usual bacon rolls, burgers etc.
To ensure that the coaches are able to plan the trials accordingly it would be appreciated if you could contact the Team Managers Paula Bates in advance, to register your interest. The contact details are as follows:
Under 18 Manager Paula Bates
paula@cyca.co.uk
07973 210989
Please advise your name, address, date of birth, school year group (as at September 2009), contact details, 1st and 2nd preferred playing positions, and which club you are attached to if any.
If you need any further information in the interim please contact me.
Paula Bates
Essex RFUW Secretary
paula@cyca.co.uk
07973 210989
RFU.com 
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