09/10 - Women v Army (R)
RAF v ARMY - 21 Apr 10
On Wednesday 21 April at 1330hrs the RAF Women took on the Army at our home Inter Service Fixture at Newbury RFC. This year marked the 10th Anniversary for RAF Women’s Rugby and it is amazing how the squad has progressed and developed. Some say this was a sentimental year for RAFRUW rugby, seeing several of the older stalwarts of the team hang up their boots for the final time (yes we mean the final time!), they are Flt Lt Katie Sharman, Sgt Anni Williamson, Sgt Nat Verna and not forgetting Sgt Michelle Crolla and Cpl Andrea Donnelly who played in the 1st ever Women’s IS game in 2000.
With a couple of key squad members down, like Cpl Lynn Armstrong and Flt Lt Kirsty Meredith, the RAF kicked off with trepidation but with an abundance of enthusiasm. From the offset the RAF put pressure on the Army with a great passage of play by the back line. Scrum half AC Nikki O’Donnell fed quick ball to Sgt Nicola Underwood and was then taken on at pace by AC Ruth Wilkinson who drilled her way through the almost stunned Army defence. Barely 2 minutes gone and Wilkinson scores a superb try, not ignoring the fantastic support play by Sgt Sally Thornton and Cpl Lou Redmond. O’Donnell made the conversion. RAF 7 - ARMY 0.
A tangible confidence was evident in the RAF side from that moment on, however a handling error enabled the Army to exploit the RAF defence and 15 minutes in to the game the Army equalised and converted. RAF 7 - ARMY 7. The RAF did not give up and the back row, consisting of Flt Lt Helen Reade, Cpl Sian Williams and SAC Laura Stewart, played an integral part in the support play and recycling of the ball. It was quickly becoming a backs game and the RAF knew they had to dig in and get the ball out cleanly an effectively.
Flt Lt Katherine Muir and Reade made some awesome plays within the line out and like 2 weeks previously, the RAF made the line outs their own winning almost every ball, cleanly and effortlessly.
Just before half time there was anticipation and an almost teasing moment that the RAF were going to score. As they kept possession deep in the Army half for most of the first half, with Cpl Julie Crole and Sharman making some staggering runs up the wing and centre field gaining precious yards. Just before the half time whistle the Army push ahead. RAF 7 -Army 12.
The second half began with a dogged determination from both sides with the RAF pack driving over rucks and initiating planned moves from the back foot. Not long in to the game and the Army steal possession, however the RAFs defence shone throughout and after numerous attempts to break the defence, the Army push further ahead. RAF 7 - Army 19. Not letting the moment pass them by, the RAF in the form of Flt Lt Diana Bird made a storming run up the centre of the field and supported by Sgt Mandy Mitchell and Redmond. The Army found themselves with the ball, which was not made easy by the worthy tackles by Williams and Stewart. The RAFs determination and hunger was evident and the effort put in by all was second to none, but the Army managed to stride ahead, RAF 7 ARMY 30.
SAC Rachel ‘Youth’ Giannasi and Crole came off allowing Crolla and SAC Jo Reddaway to come on. Ten minutes before full time the Army sneak another try however missing the conversion. RAF 7 ARMY 35.
Five minutes before full time, the RAFs determination and fantastic ball play, from yet another lineout enabled the back line to display their flair. Again swift ball from O’Donnell, Sharman, Underwood, Wilkinson and with sheer stubbornness and will, power from Redmond saw the RAF maul over the line in a dramatic finish. RAF 12 ARMY 35.
A few minor errors and areas to work on resulted in a victory for the Army. This was an immense and gutsy display of rugby from the RAF team that has been commended on throughout the Rugby Circle. The RAF Ladies should be proud of the way they played as their game was the best game the RAF Squad have ever played.
Cpl Andi Donnelly