Castleford RUFC Girls away fixtures v Eccles 22 January 2012
Published on: 23rd January 2012
Steve Ball, Castleford RUFC - These 2 match report showed how we can move forward with girls rugby as 5 Barnsley girls joined us in our visit to Eccles. Once we go there 2 from our team joined the Eccles U18 team to make up the sides and 2 from the Eccles U15 joined our U15 girls to ensure that all the girls were able to get the maximum game time and enjoy their sport.
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22 January 2012
Eccles RFC U18 Girls 20 v Castleford RUFC U18 Girls (Castleford Bees) 25
This was a true Battle of the Roses as The Bees took on Eccles in a friendly that was a great advertisement for girls’ rugby. Fortified by a number of Barnsley RUFC girls The Bees really did buzz in a very close fought contest.
It was a full 15 minutes before there was a score such was the strength and resolve of both defences when some bone shaking tackles were put in by both sides. Eccles scored first and were able to convert too to take the lead. This did not daunt The Bees and their endeavour was rewarded by a try close to the Eccles’ corner after Player of the Match, second row Hannah Greenaway, sped down the wing, was caught just by the line but was fed the ball again by Rachael Lowe after some excellent support play. The try was not converted unfortunately.
The teams tackled hard again from the restart but from 5 metres out, after aggressive counter-rucking by Rachael Lowe, she was able to dive over the line to deservedly put Cas just in front by a whisker at half time. Rallying the team was easy for captain, Lucy Blewett, and the determination to take the game to Eccles was shown in the second half; spirits were not diminished by another converted Eccles’ try and eventually winger, Hannah Mayes, after being released by the very impressive scrum half, Louise Pickett, sprinted a third of the length of the pitch to touch down with a number of Eccles’ girls close on her heels. A difficult conversion kick was again not successful but Cas Bees knew that tries would be the most decisive weapon in gusty conditions.
After a lovely offload from fellow centre, Kirsty Shires, Beth Corbett, was able to run through to score a fine try again in the corner making the conversion attempt too difficult. A feature of the Cas game today was quick offloads to keep the ball in play and away from contact and with improved rucking from Lucy and prop, Bethan Lloyd, and able support in both attack and defence by Laura Pickett and Abby Knowles, they took advantage of the help from the more experienced Barnsley players. After another quick release by Louise Cas’s quick hands along the back line fed Hannah Mayes but her trademark dash from the half way line was caught this time just by the touchline deep in the Eccles’ half. However, The Bees scored their last try on the opposite wing after some more excellent support play from Kirsty allowed Cas to strike deep into Eccles’ territory; this was finished off in true determined style by Hannah Greenaway as she took two defenders over the line with her to crown off her excellent display.
Eccles RFC U15 Girls 32 v Castleford RUFC U15 Girls 12
Without captain Megan Owens who was trialling for the North Division, a depleted Cas side refused to be overawed by a strong Eccles side.
The Cas girls began to put into practice the work done in training and tackled with gusto. Vicky Megretton was strong in defence and was adventurous in attack. Emma Lowe tackles with as much power as girls twice her size and can side step like the best and she was rewarded with a try after a typical jinking run cut through the home defence. She was able to show her versatility by converting her own try. Abbie Mayes was vocal at scrum half and, after being fed a ball from Chelsey Sabey and then Emma again, she was able to squeeze past two defenders to score her maiden try for the visitors. A very creditable performance by Cas against a stronger and heavier team.
