On Saturday 24th March 2012 West Kent Divas U13 girls rugby team played in a tournament arranged by Winchester Rugby Club against 4 other clubs: Ellingham and Ringwood, Exeter, Stoke Newington and Ealing. Winchester, the hosts, sportingly provided spare players to teams without a full compliment to ensure games of 7 a side.

The first opponents were Ellingham and Ring wood who possessed a strong looking squad with several larger girls. The game was hard fought, 1 try all at half time, with both teams making inroads into their opponents territory. As the game wore on the girls managed to secure much more possession, passing the ball from side to side. Ultimately the pressure told and the opponents defence was broken, resulting in a 2nd and winning try for the Divas.

Next up was Exeter. Having watched their previous game, the Divas knew that a good start was essential, if they were to subdue Exeter, who took the ball from the kickoff and charged down centre field. The Divas defence was strong and following good tackles and pressure, Exeter spilled the ball and the Divas picked up and ran in the try. This sequence was repeated twice more with the Divas using the turnover ball to run up the field using their off loading game. 3 tries to nil at halftime was a healthy lead but not a fair reflection on the teams. The second half was much more equal with the final score 4 tries to 1.

After a short break they played Ealing supported by Winchester. The match followed a similar pattern to the first with each team making good attacks but defences held out, with the girls running the ball out from their own try line on one occasion. Eventually, the pace of the match told, spaces began to appear and finally tries were scored. The Divas won again 3 tries to 1.

The final game was to be against Stoke Newington who the girls had watched earlier. Stoke Newington were also unbeaten, so it was going to be a fitting final game.

During the tournament, the Divas defence had stood firm. The girls knew the importance of tackling their opponents’ strike runners, doubling up where required. Once in possession they moved the ball around the pitch, using their offloading game, resulting in 2 well worked tries to gain a first half lead. In the

second half Stoke Newington came back strong, running hard, and breaking the gain line many times but the scramble defence and the never say die approach kept the line intact. It was with great credit that the Divas scored a 3rd try taking control of the game.

As the game neared its conclusion, the girls could be seen to tire and gaps appeared allowing tries to be scored in quick succession. The final score was 5 tries to 2 with the Divas being undefeated.

On occasions like this it is customary to draw special attention to certain players. All players performed exceptionally well playing as a team, however a special note to Morgan Freeman who ran in 6 tries and Francesca Hales, who tackled and carried the ball ever so well considering it was only her second competitive outing as a rugby player.

Well done to all who attended and other squad members.

Playing Squad
Ceri Edwards Captain
Cerys Lawrence
Erin Rochester
Francesca Hales
Morgan Freeman
Megan Fisher
Olivia Mac Anally

The divas, now are the team to beat. There will be another festival on 21st April. Please try to make yourself available for this event, as we need a strong squad as all teams will now be gunning for us.

Coach
Gwyn Edwards

Beckenham Rugby Football Club

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