WKD U15 girls National sevens champions.

WKD national sevens champions, what a fantastic effort we all witnessed yesterday. Its the morning after and its time for one last report for the season, which will be a personal one. The achievement on Saturday the 10th May, was such a team effort, it is easy to forget while watching 7 girls run around on the on the pitch. All the squad members should take credit from this achievement. Our thoughts should be with Megan 2, Akina, Frederica and Sophie, who could not be there due to injury and hopefully there will be another similar occasion for them in the future. It was great to have Freddie and Luana there to support the girls along with so many pearent and I am sure that helped the girls do well.

As with all these festivals, the day becomes a bit of a blur. After pitching tent, in the middle of the fields, we discovered we had only 2 pool games to play in the pool. Plans for a 12.10 kick off were soon rescheduled for an 11.30 K.O. and the warm up routine put into motion. For those watching this part the girls have developed a near party trick standard of popping the ball to each other at pace, a skill used effectively in the games. First up was Worcester, who we had narrowly beaten at Worcester tournament the previous month. The Worcester team, looked after the ball very well making it difficult for the WKD team to gain possession, which meant resolute defence was required. From first phase possession, the back 4 of Erin, Ceri, Alice and Megan controlled the large pitch. Erin snipping at the heels of the opposition scrum ½, Ceri closing down the first threat and pushing the ball wide, for Alice one on one to tackle. In broken play WKD kept their shape, leaving 1-2players to compete every tackle zone, resulting in turn over possession which they distributed effectively to run in scores. First score was by Ceri who looked to draw defenders and pass, but as defenders fell away, she powered on to score. The 3rd try, initiated by Erin’s straight running through a gap, involved 4 off loads, in a direct route through the middle of Worcester team for Morgan to touch down under the posts. In the second ½ a full rotation the squad players was used. The defensive shape was not so good and a try was conceded, however one was also scored by Ellie who kicked and dribbled the ball 30m passed defence for a solo try, cheered loudly from the touch line. Fiona took the first of several hard knocks and was carried from the field, to the obvious concern of all.

Pool game Worcester 28/12

Ceri 1try 4cons
Megan 1
Alice 1
Morgan 1

Next up were Oakmeadinas who Worcester had beaten, so I was a little surprised when they ran in the first try within the first minute, following a missed tackle in mid field, by a certain Ginger player who will not be named. Following that miss hap, normal service was resumed. Fiona was rested for this game, Bobbie came on at scrum ½ for Erin and continued the high standard of play in that position. Ceri remained on for the hole game to captain the side and coordinate defence. Again in the second ½ all squad players were used and a much more assured display was given.

Oakmeadians 31/7

Alice 1
Ceri. 1Try 3cons
Morgan 1
Megan1
Ellie1

There then followed a very long break, before we played Aylesford who had had a very tough tournament to that point and the 6 try win looked harsh, but the paces, power and skill of the WKD team effort could not be stopped. Trys by Alice, and Megan, first holding their defenders, then running round them were the memorable moments, along with the powerful effort by Hannah running with the ball and most noticeable ripping the ball in contact. In the second ½ several changes were made but the team were now beginning to gell and the impact of substitutions did not impact the high intensity of the performance.

QF Aylesford. 39/0

Megan 2
Alice 3
Fiona 1
Ellie 1 try 1con
Ceri 1 con

In the Semi final the girls had anticipated a match with Welwyn, which I think they were quite relishing an opportunity to play them again. However it was Leeds West Park, another team the girls had played at Worcester, that they came up against.
The starting team of Cerys, Morgan, Fiona, Erin Ceri, Alice and Megan was performing well and from the off WKD set up camp in the opposition 22. However it is to their credit, that they would not buckle and in reality, they had more possession than WKD and on several occasions when possession was gained, WKD did not have the composure to distribute as effectively as they had, or when they did the last pass did not go to hand. On the stroke of ½ time Fiona took another knock and had to be replaced by Hannah but no other changes were made. In the second ½, playing down the slope a good kick off, established territorial advantage and eventually a score was made by either we think Alice. In this game more than any defence was the key to success. Erin would snaffle anything around the break down, Ceri and Alice pushed back players in the tackle, Megan covered the breaks. Morgan piled in through the middle and finally but not least, Hannah and Cerys, fought nearly every break down. With the game very much still in the balance, Ceri distributed the ball left, looping Alice we think , to make the initial break. The cover defence looked good but a very solid hand off allowed Ceri to sprint 40m to confirm the win.

“Observation from Dave Burton Shaw, standing on the other side of the field amongst the West Park Coaches and parents. They were genuinely stunned at the ferocity of the tackles our girls were putting in and it was clear they hadn't seen their girls face that intensity before. Recommendation for player of that match v West Park for me was Erin. I think it's the best performance I've ever seen her put in as she was absolutely fearless in tackling. Unfortunate that it stopped her playing in the final but her performance help get us there”.

SF westpark leeds 12/0

Megan 1
Ceri 1T 1con

The Final delayed till after the U18,s final was the last in the tournament. The girls though tiered were prepared and ready to go, mainly due to the efforts of Graham who motivated and re motivated the girls time after time, (with Pauls assistance until he had to leave). Pauls replacement was Ella who lead the warm up and stretching with such enthusiasm, you could see the team were lifted. At this stage the girls were beginning to look a little battle weary. Erin was ruled out of the final following a bang on the head and there was also concern over Megn’s and Fiona’s fitness, but fortunately both were passed fit by the medical staff, though Fiona started on the bench.

Starting line up for the final, Hannah, Morgan, Cerys, Bobbie, Ceri, Alice and Megan, against Berkshire Ba Ba,s .

The final as expected was tougher again. Berkshire Ba Ba,s again were very good at off loading in the tackle, so every player had to match up and tackle, which they did. WKD had a couple of early opportunities snaffled out but solid defence prevented and sustained pressure from managing a score, but provided confidence to the team. The Ba Bas, made a couple of breaks also through first line of defence, but Megan was as dependable as every. WKD kept their shape and eventually work the ball back to Megan in space allowing her to look up and run a wide curve towards the line. All cheer as she raced round to the line, but the cover defence would not give up, and caught he on the 22m line. Despite this tackle Megan kept control and completed a perfect off load to the ever present Cerys who just happened to be there for a fantastic try. The next key moment was a score by the Ba Bas. WKD had secured possession, near the ½ way line. With the wind behind Morgan attempted a kick ahead, but instead it found their sweeper, who made off down their right wing. Despite excellent tackles by Alice and Megan, the Ba Bas, had to many players and ran in under the posts. At this stage, Hannah was also injured, and replaced by Olivia. Olivias’ presence bolstered the scrum, and also maintained a solid centre core to the team.

At ½ time, scores level against the wind second ½ and all to play for Fiona was called back into the fray, Olivia making way. From the off the increased intensity of the Divas could be seen and on this occasion Morgan leading the press forced the Ba Bas, back. The pressure caused a poor pass and the loose pass ball was fly hacked on and the bounce of the ball favourable, to allow Morgan to break through and re take the lead. The second ½ saw some of the best rugby play by the girls. On several occasions the ball was shipped from one side of the field, to the other and then back again, passing through all the players hands, all the tine avoiding contact, finally resulted in space for Fiona holding the left wing position, to sprint over for another score. As the half, moved on, Bobbie took a heavy tackle and was desperate to continue, but Elli was brought on and she performed exceptionally well, in her 3rd position for the festival.

As the game reached its climax, I think every girl was used, to keep 7 fit players on the field. The Ba Bas,s scored but the chase back by Ceri, ensure the conversion was not achieved by the BA Bs. Entering the final quarter of the match with just one score separating the teams one last push was required.
Words, From Dave Burtonshaw
“General battling and possession resulted in the ball getting to Alice, who ploughed to within a few yards near their line and when taken down Morgan was perfectly placed to take the ball over the line for 4 tries to 2 and with such short time remaining the game was over. Both Alice and Morgan said afterwards they nearly asked to come off in the second half as they were both totally shattered but with minutes to go I was telling Alice that however painful it was she had to give everything as few minutes was all that stood between her and an achievement she would be proud of for the rest of her life and she responded. (biased dad very proud of watching her dig deep at the end!)

So as the final whistle neared, the result was assured, but the relief and joy expressed was huge, from players, supporters, parents, and coaches. Amongst all there were tear of joy and a realisation of what an achievement the girls had made. Despite my outwards confidence, my objective this season was to gain experience at the national 7,s and win the event next season. As always seems to be the case, this set of players, never fail to raise to a challenge. It should be noted, that the squad only contained 3 girls, at U15 age band, and 2 girls who are u13. When that is considered, it makes the achievement all the more impressive.

Final. Berk BaaBaas. 26/12

Cerys 1
Morgan 2
Fiona 1
Ceri 3 con

The awards of the trophy, saw both captains Fiona and Ceri, receive the trophy jointly, which sort of felt right, as the team being a cluster, we have 2 captains who complement each other well and it was great to see the squad receive the trophy from an England player. What price that some of these girls will be for filling that roll in the future.