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Under 17s Girls
Yorkshire 46 Lancashire 0
Lancashire battled hard against a very strong Yorkshire team at Halifax Vandals and, despite the scoreline should be proud of their efforts. Yorkshire play as both a county and as a region so many of the players had been playing regional rugby together for some time.
Despite the loss of two of Lancashire's most experienced players, full-back Nikki Higson with a dislocated finger only two minutes into the game and hooker Nikki Langton with a back injury soon after, the first half was a very close contest with little between the sides, reflected in the half-time score of 5-0 to the home side. Lancashire had, if anything, more of the possession and spent a lot of time in Yorkshire's half but, thanks to the excellent Yorkshire defence, they were unable to turn possession into points. At this stage, it was definitely anyone's game and the Lancashire girls went onto the second half believing that they could win.
Only a few minutes into the second half, however, Yorkshire scored again and Lancashire began to lose both composure and shape. Despite some good defence, including a fabulous try-saving tackle by Eccles' Sarah Spencer in her county debut, Lancashire's confidence and commitment waned for a short while and Yorkshire took full advantage playing some well-organised and creative rugby to put several more points on the board. Lancashire was awarded a penalty after a high tackle by Yorkshire but Lancashire's Ava Joyce was unlucky to narrowly miss the attempt at goal.
Towards the end of the game, Lancashire rallied and re-discovered the form which they had shown in the first half; they spent much of the last ten minutes back in Yorkshire's half but again came painfully close to the try line without quite making it over.
Lancashire's Player of the Match went to Annie Tavendale for a superb all-round performance.
This was the last of Lancashire's inter-county games and despite four defeats in this first season the players have made great progress and have created a firm platform on which to build next season.
They have one more fixture to play, against Port Moody Secondary School, a touring Canadian side, on Wednesday 21st March at Bury Rugby Club.
The Lancashire side playing Yorkshire was...
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15 Nikki Higson
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Tyldesley
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14 Annie Tavendale
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Colne and Nelson
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13 Michelle Skinner (VC)
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Blackpool
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12 Sophie Higgins (C)
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Waterloo
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11 Sarah Barnes
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Tyldesley
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10 Katie Hemborough
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Colne and Nelson
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9 Danika Dowling
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Tyldesley
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1 Laura Gleeson
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Blackpool
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2 Nikki Langton
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Colne and Nelson
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3 Ava Joyce
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Tyldesley
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4 Stephanie Dawson
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Blackpool
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5 Sarah Wallbank
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Ormskirk
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6 Toni Wallbank
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Tyldesley
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7 Kate Avery
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Waterloo
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8 Emma Cranny
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Waterloo
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16 Linzi Hull
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Blackpool
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17 Joanna Smith
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Ormskirk
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18 Hannah Walsh
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Blackpool
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19 Hannah Willman
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Blackpool
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20 Sophie Pugh
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Waterloo
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21 Sarah Spencer
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Eccles
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Under 14s
Yorkshire Clubs 25 Lancashire Clubs 20
It is hoped to set up a county team for the younger age group next season and, as a precursor to this, an Under 14s Yorkshire Clubs v Lancashire Clubs match also took place today. Yorkshire was again victorious but this time in an extremely close game, Yorkshire edging the result by a try.
Many thanks to Yorkshire and to Halifax Vandals RUFC for their hospitality and congratulations to Yorkshire U17s and Yorkshire Clubs U14s on their very well deserved victories.
Rachael Acorn
Team Manager
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