First defeat for WKD Girls WKD 29 v Welwyn 31

The match against Welwyn was eagerly anticipated as a tough match and it lived up to its billing as the teams played out a 10 try thriller, 5 trys each with a single conversion the differ between the teams.

Welwyn, elected to K.O with the advantage of the slope in the first half and soon had WKD in trouble moving the ball wide but they could not break the defensive line. WKD generally committing more to the breakdown, stole possession and Ceri converted the 2 on 2 opportunity to release Megan who ran 70m to score under the posts. The conversion unfortunately missed by ceri.

Welwyn, a well drill side, had obviously come with a game plan, taking a scrum at every penalty awarded. This allowed Welwyn to release their centre, from first phase and she proved very difficult to stop, leaving WKD players on the floor, drawing in several defenders which ultimately resulted in gaps out wide, which Welwyn were able to capitalise on, resulting in their first try of the game.

From what appeared a good K.O, wide and deep, the Welwyn winger skipped passed 2 defenders and out paced the cover defence. A third try was scored before half time, though there was not much difference between the teams.

At half time no panic, use the slope of the pitch, play territory and apply pressure. The K.O was deep and the chase was good, Welwyn fumbled, 10m out. The uncontested scrums guaranteed possession, so it was passed to Ceri on the blind side, who drove close enough to the line to stretch one handed to score. From a wide angle Ellie converted. From the K.O, this time it was Morgan who cut through the Welwyn defence taking the game back to the Welwyn 22, where WKD set up camp, until the pressure told and Olivia spotted a loose ball and ran 10m to the line. With Elli converting again, all square and game on.

Despite the come back WKD were not spreading the ball wide effectively and so Welwyn still had plenty in the tank, moving into the final quarter. The game moved from end to end with Welwyn scoring in the corner after there centre made good ground and drew many defenders. Then WKD came back again. From a scrum on the 10m line, Ceri took the direct approach, through the 10 channel drive through 2 tacklers, making it to the 5m line before being stopped. The off load was collected by the ever present Cerys who scored. Further good play by WKD resulted in them taking the lead, following more pressure before the ball was moved through the hand to Megan in a little bit of space and beat the cover defence to take the score to 29v24. The conversion attempt from a wide angle was so close, but on this occasion, the small margins went against WKD. Welwyn to their credit came back again and forced a final score which was converted, to win the match.

The game was another fantastic advert for the girls game. WKD managed to use all their 15, squad players, some out of position in the toughest game of the season so far.

Tackle of the game goes to Alice, who not only executed the tackle but bounced up again immediately and successfully won the ruck.

Team played was
Olivia, Franceska, Hannah, Ella, Cerys, Erin, Ceri, Morgan, Alice, Megan.
Subs Sophie, Shauna, Luana, Sammy Elli