| Hampshire U18 Girls excel in the mud |
| Thursday, 04 December 2008 00:07 |
 Hampshire Under 18s girls claimed a tremendous victory in extremely difficult and muddy conditions, beating their Berkshire counterpart, including two England Under 20 internationals, by the comprehensive scoreline of 42 points to 5.
On Sunday 30th November, Hampshire U18 girls took to a muddy and wet Winchester pitch to take on their counterparts from Berkshire which included their two recently announced England U20 internationals. However it was the Hampshire side under the captaincy of Poppy Cleall that excelled in the conditions and played some of their best rugby of the year.
Hampshire from the start applied early pressure to the Berkshire lines and this was rewarded with Gracie New going round the blind side of the scrum to touchdown after 5 mins 5-0.
The game settled after this early score as both sides adjusted to the mud and from a Berkshire line out Hampshire won the ball at the back of line and flanker Megan Horwood went over for try no 2.10-0.
Rosie Tugwell added the 3rd with an interception on the half way line which split the Berkshire defence and Rosie crossed the line unchallenged. 15-0.
From the kick off Hampshire returned the ball with some good back up play and Hannah Gifford scored under the posts. Hannah then added her own extras HT 22-0.
After half time Berkshire changed their line up and moved the ball out to their flying winger who out paced the Hampshire defence to score in the corner 22-5.
Hampshire then started to pressurise the Berkshire defence and were rewarded when Bryony Cleall scored 27-5
The ground took its toll on the Berkshire defence as Hampshire changed the attack and scored with a push over try with both Megan Horwood and Bryony Cleall touching down together. 32-5
Bryony Cleall, playing at outside centre was then rewarded with a try from the best move in the game, this saw the ball moved down the line with 6 players involved all showing great hands and back up play 37-5
The final score of the day went to Kirsty Woods, with Victoria Horsfield in close support as the forwards pushed over to round off a solid performance for the Hampshire side 42-5.
Paul Beckett, Hampshire’s head coach commented “This was the best performance from the girls this season, the weather was awful and cold but the girls worked hard today and were rewarded with a great result”
Next up for the Hampshire U18 girls will be away to Sussex at Pulborough RFC on December 14th. |
