Essex Girls U 15 v Eastern Counties Girls U 15
Essex, with a young and inexperienced side, managed to overcome an Eastern Counties side in their first match of the season. The opening 10 minutes was a scrappy affair with both sides struggling for continuity due to handling errors. Essex put the first score on the board when Abbie Graham collected the ball deep in her own half and raced around the Counties cover defence to score an opportunist solo try.
The Essex pack of Annie Tant, Faye Smale, Shannon Ross, Alana Pettican, Stephanie Smith and Maddie Lockwood held their own in the scrum and fought valiantly at every ruck & maul but as the first half wore on the Eastern Counties pack started to dominate several phases of play. A period of sustained pressure close to the Essex line finally resulted in Eastern Counties centre scoring to level the scores at 5 all. The Essex backs managed to execute numerous attacks with Olivia Stembridge, Jessica Charles, Bianca Bosdet and Amber Charlmagne breaching the opposition line but the final pass would either go lose or the ball turned over at the breakdown. Continued forward pressure saw the Eastern Counties repeatedly attacking the Essex try line only to be thwarted by resolute defending by the Essex players with Abbie Cook stopping the grounding of the ball on several occasions. Towards the end of the half Shannon Ross was forced to leave the pitch due to a shoulder injury. This caused a reorganisation to the pack with the introduction of Sarah Harris at full back. Eventually, however, the pressure told and another score was conceded just before half time to leave Essex trailing by 10 – 5 at the break.
Essex started the second half with much more determination and endeavour and enjoyed the territorial advantage early on. After winning a scrum against the head good hands saw the ball passed down the swift back line for Abbie Graham to score in the corner to even the score. Two minutes later an almost identical move saw Abbie Graham receive the ball and outpace the Eastern Counties defence and score under the posts. Maddie Lockwood added the conversion to make the score 17 – 10.
This stung the Eastern Counties pack into greater life and they had a period of pressure deep in the Essex half and from a quick short tap penalty they scored in the corner to make the score 17 - 15. Essex then had their best attacking period of the game with a number of determined runs into the Eastern Counties half by Maddie Lockwood, one being stopped deep within their 22 metre area, threatening to score on several occasions. Faye Smale placed pressure on the opponents scrum by stealing several strikes against the head. The Essex backs repeatedly carried out waves of attack against the Eastern Counties line with one run by Abbie Cook being stopped inches from the try line. Continued pressure paid dividends when the ball was won at another set piece scrum and passed down the line for Abbie Graham to sprint away for her fourth try and make the score 22-15. Injuries to Kaitlin Fitz-Patrick and Alana Pettican, both with ankle damage, forced further changes, allowing Charlotte Gower to take the field.
The final minutes saw both sides going all out for another score, but some sound defence and excellent tackling by Essex meant they kept the lead at the final whistle to win a hard fought contest.
Squad: Bianca Bosdet, Amber Charlmagne, Jessica Charles, Abbie Cook, Kaitlin Fitz-Patrick, Abigail Graham, Charlotte Gower, Sarah Harries, Maddie Lockwood, Alana Pettican, Shannon Ross, Faye Smale, Stephanie Smith, Olivia Stembridge (c), Annie Tant.
The following girls have been selected to represent Essex County for the 2009/2010 programme.
U15’s Essex County Captain – Olivia Stembridge
Bianca Bosdet Robert Clack School
Amber Charlmagne Barking Abbey School
Jessica Charles Robert Clack School
Abbie Cook Rochford Hundred RFC
Kaitlin Ftiz-Patrick Rochford Hundred RFC
Abigail Graham Rochford Hundred RFC
Charlotte Gower Rochford Hundred RFC
Sarah Harris Maldon RFC
Madeline Lockwood Rochford Hundred RFC
Alana Pettican Robert Clack RFC
Shannon Ross Maldon RFC
Faye Smale Rochford Hundred RFC
Stephanie Smith Rochford Hundred RFC
Olivia Stembridge Rochford Hundred RFC
Annie Tant Rochford Hundred RFC
Claire Yearwood Rochford Hundred RFC
Essex County RFUW U15 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 U15 girls’ 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 15 – school years 8, 9, & 10
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 Manager Tina Turner in advance, to register your interest. The contact details are as follows:
Under 15 Manager Tina Turner
tina@rugbyturners.plus.com
07733 024317
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 Tina Turner for U15.
Paula Bates
Essex RFUW Secretary
paula@cyca.co.uk
07973 210989t Tina Turner.
RFU.com 
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