Army Women (28) v Scotland Development (10)
Dunbar - 7 Feb 2009
This was the first game of 2009 after the Bristol game
was cancelled due to frozen pitches.
With all the weather south of the border we all thought
that it would eventually reach sunny but cold Edinburgh
on the day of the game and that it would be cancelled,
but upon awaking on the Saturday morning to a crisp layer
of snow it was not looking hopeful, however luck was on
our side and the pitch had thawed enough to play upon.
It was a bitter cold but sunny afternoon in Dunbar,
Scotland won the toss and decided to play into the wind.
The talk amongst the squad this week had been have
a positive attitude, and this is what the army had from
the outset, we kicked long and applied pressure straight
away forcing Scotland to knock on from the ensuing scrum
we picked from the base and drove hard and just kept
applying pressure through the forwards until Lt Emily
Astley-Arlington the fly half had ensure the
field position was right to launch her fellow backs.
This pressure told upon Scotland with them constantly
fringing and the army being awarded penalties time and
time again. From a resulting penalty a line out was
formed just inside the Scotland 22, the forward called
for a pre-arranged move and of they went it was straight
of the training paddock, Capt Kelly Douglas
swooped around the front of the line stepped the unsuspecting
hooker for a easy stroll over the try line, the following
conversion was successful from on the touch line by
LCpl Jane Leonard.
Army 7-0.
From the restart Scotland never made the 10 which resulted
in a scrum to the army on half way, from this LCpl Claire
Loftus playing at No8 (whilst inspirational
skipper Capt Kat Woods recovers from
a Injury) picked and went right and drove deep into
the Scotland half, the forwards were following the game
plan to a tee working hard and setting up quick rucks
for scrumhalf Jane Leonard to deliver
the ball to the backs (sometimes like Bergamasco
but not as bad). With more pressure applied to Scotland
and some forays into the Scotland half by forwards and
backs it was inevitable that there would be 2v1 situation
some where and when Lt Rebecca Homer
found it in support was Cpl Carice Allen
to step over the try line and score, conversion was
unsuccessful.
Army 13-0.
From the restart Scotland again could not make the 10
and a scrum was awarded, from this scrum the backs elected
to take first phase and from this the Scotland captain
was caught of side for the umpteenth time and was yellow
carded, this left them short in the pack.
From the resulting clearance kick deep into the Scotland
22, as they set a ruck and we countered they infringed
which resulted in the Army kicking for touch, from the
line out Scotland competed and won the ball as the Army
applied pressure they knocked on from the resulting
scrum the ball was passed out using simple hands to
LCpl Dani Phan to score in the corner
the third try conversion unsuccessful.
Army 18-0
From the restart Scotland did not make 10 from the
resulting scrum they infringed Jane Leonard
took a quick tap penalty set a quick ruck quick hands
down the line to Carice Allen to score
in the corner. Conversion unsuccessful.
Army 23-0
From the restart Scotland got it right and kicked deep
into our 22 Cpl Emma Gilbert caught
the ball and charged back into the Scottish defence
from the ruck Major Maggie Anne-Hodge
drove the ball in to set a quick ruck up the ball is
passed swiftly to the backs and with simple hands. A
little chip which the Scotland fullback knocked on and
from the resulting scrum Claire Loftus picked
up from the base of the scrum who then fed Jane
Leonard who surged in to the Scottish defence
just before contact she passed to Claire Loftus
who ran in untouched. Conversion unsuccessful.
Army 28-0.
Halftime
The Army came out firing in the second half maybe a
bit too keen, as we seem to pick up penalty after penalty
which resulted in a yellow card being shown to Lt Rowena
Squire’s harsh decision. This meant some
early substitutions Lt Gemma Masson
was replaced by Capt Charlotte Maxwell.
And it just goes to show what being down to 14 players
can do because Scotland then scored two tries quickly.
Army 28-10 Scotland.
Once the Army was back to 15 players there line was
held firm and both teams pushed and pulled but with
no other score to either team.
The plan and style we have been striving for is now
starting to come to fruition.
Well done to all the players for all their hard effort
during the week and especially the game.
Women's Team
1. Maj Maggie-Ann Hodge 2. Capt Amie Bywater-Lutman
3. Lt Rowena Squires 4. Lt Gemma Masson 5.Cpl Rosie
Haigh 6. Cpl Emma Gilbert 7.Capt Kelly Douglas 8.LCpl
Claire Loftus 9. LCpl Jane Leonard 10. Lt Emily Astley-Arlington
11. Cpl Carice Allen 12.Cpl Sarah Roper 13. Lt Rebecca
Hewlet 14. LCpl Dani Phan 15. Rebecca Homer 16. Capt
Charlotte Maxwell 17.Cfn Paula Robinson 18. SSgt Caroline
Wilde 19. Cpl Nancy Kuva 20. Cpl Alvi Beaney 21. Cpl
Carina Reeves
Next game Ulster Friday 6th March in Belfast.
Posted: 16 Feb 09 |
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