York RI v RAF Women

York RI 24 V RAF Women 22

Sunday 18th November 2.00pm

Conditions could not have been more different from one match to the next for The Air Force. This month they faced freezing temperatures and heavy rain, but it was not going to deter them. Following another full day of training on the Saturday, the squad travelled up to York for their second match of the Season.

Yet again the Air Force was to dominate in the opening minutes of the game, with Laura Stewart crossing the line for the first of 2 tries. However, York were quick to retaliate and straight from the restart surged up the pitch to even the score line.

Soon the wet conditions were to start taking effect and turn the match into a competition between the two packs. The Air Force attacked hard and supported well, working the ball towards the try line. They kept the pressure on for the next 15 minutes, hardly allowing York any possession and were rewarded for their effort when Laura Stewart crossed the line for her second try. This was quickly converted by Katie Sharman.

Again York looked to even the score quickly, and straight from the restart they fought their way up the pitch to score their second try but were unable to convert it. The Air Force retaliated by attacking hard from their restart with all the forwards giving everything they had to keep the momentum on and push York further and further back into their own half. Finally Kirsty Meredith crossed the line for the last score of the first half.

Conditions deteriorated for the second half, with the rain getting heavier to add to the pressure on both teams. York set the pace early on with a quick try to even the score, but then had to request uncontested scrums due to an injury to one of their front row. This was to change the style of the game, and where the Air Force had been dominating the scrums, they now found themselves working hard to defend against some fast York backs.

York took the next try after a lucky break from back in their own 22 and converted this to add extra pressure. Solid work from the whole team saw the Air Force driving on again and again and eventually their efforts were rewarded when Vinnie Vunivalu scored following a powerful break towards the line by Julie Crole.

Determination now showed on the faces of all the Air Force squad as they fought hard for the last five minutes of the game. Unfortunately time was not on their side and despite a fast break by Katie Sharman to get within 5 metres of the try line, York were determined to hang on to the match and turned over the ball at the breakdown and kicked it into touch for the final whistle.

An unlucky score line for The Air Force, but good performances from the whole squad.

Squad:

Flt Lt Bird, Cpl Armstrong, SAC Vunivalu, Flt Lt Meredith, FgO Muir, Sgt Carlyon, SAC Stewart (captain), Sgt Thornton, Cpl Crole, Flt Lt Sharman, AC Stone, Cpl Williamson, SAC MacPhearson, SAC Monger, Cpl Fraser, FgO Seymore.