| U18 Girls stroll to 'artificial' victory |
| Monday, 15 December 2008 13:40 |
 Hampshire Under 18s Girls side produced a brilliant performance in disposing of their Sussex counterparts 53-5 but were fearing the worst weatherwise until they arrived in Brighton to realise they would be playing on an articificial pitch !!!!
Hampshire U18 Girls made the trip to Brighton RFC on Sunday 14th December expecting the dreaded ‘The games off’ telephone call on the way, as most games in the south had fallen foul to the weather. What greeted the girls at Brighton was a first for all the girls and a first for this county side, the game was played on an artificial surface. The cry’s of we cannot play on astro were heard ringing round the South Downs but after a good warm up session the squad were impressed with the surface and Hampshire then turned on the style. The surface made for good running rugby and this suited the Hampshire side that were soon on the score sheet where good backing up led to Bryony Cleall going over to score. Hannah Gifford added the conversion 0-7 This proved the pattern of the half with Sussex playing on the back foot and having to tackle every thing that moved but Hampshire who were now loving the surface added tries from Poppy Cleall and Donna Rose with Hannah Gifford adding the extras for one of the tries. H-T 0-24 Hampshire made 6 changes at half time resting the whole back line only for Poppy Cleall to add 2 more tries from open side flanker. Hannah Gifford again adding the extras for one of the tries 0- 36 With the changes it did not stop the pressure and Hampshire had the bit between their teeth, Kirsty Wood added a good forwards try, good work from the forwards in the ruck released Kirsty to score and shortly afterwards Donna Rose added her second of the game 0 – 46 Sussex to their credit never gave up in the game and were rewarded with a try when they broke the Hampshire defence from in their half to score 5-46 Alice Hoole who was the captain for the day and playing in her last county game in Junior rugby scored her first try of the county campaign, this seemed fitting as she also played one of her best games for the team. Hannah Gifford added the conversion F-T 5-53 The whole squad took to the artificial surface and special mentions should go to Emma Travers who helped out Sussex when they went down to 14 fit players. |
