05 - 13 Feb 10 - RAFRU(W) Inter-Service Training

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The RAF Women’s team met together in February for a week long intensive training programme, designed to prepare them as a squad for the Inter-Service fixture, fast approaching in April. The week took place at Elms Farm barns in Boston, Lincolnshire.

The week stretched the ladies fitness through SAQ sessions in the morning, followed by intensive rugby training in the afternoons and individual skills in the evenings. Judo instructors were also brought in to develop the player’s ability within the contact situation.

By the Wednesday players were looking forward to a break and a day down with Leicester Tigers; watching their training was much appreciated by all. A big thank you goes out to the entire Leicester squad and management for allowing us to come down and observe their session and take a look at the facilities they can offer players competing at the higher levels. A number of positives were taken from the session including the intensity at which the players performed at, for the duration of their training session. Everything was short and sharp enabling the players to stay focused and active for the entire session. This visit showed immediate impact within the next few training sessions with the ladies responding well to new warm up styles and skills brought in by the coaches.

At the end of the week the team were moved down to RAF Halton in preparation for their match against Old Albanians. To allow the team some recovery time on the Saturday, after the week long training, a low ropes session was organised. This developed the team’s communication skills and worked on their ability in overcoming challenges and optimising players strengths to overcome other weaknesses.

Thanks must be given to Flt Lt Di Bird and Cpl Julie Crole for organising the week, which not only benefitted the team in terms of preparation for the Inter-Service Fixtures, but was also enjoyed by all.

14 Feb 10 - RAFRU(W) Vs Old Albanians – 0 - 24

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The Old Albanian’s (OA’s) game was always going to be a hard game, but a perfect preparation tool for the upcoming Inter-Services matches. The girls came out fighting and wanting to put into practice all they had learnt during the week; however, a panicked start from the RAF Women allowed OA’s too much space to run, culminating in an early converted try for OA's as they ran straight through the centre of a ruck to score under the posts.

This was the wake up call the RAF Women needed to sort out their lines and defence around the ruck and maul situation. The two teams continued to battle back and forth up the pitch. The OA’s team really stretched and tested the RAF Women’s pack in the scrums and highlighted some weak areas for us to focus on in upcoming training sessions. Cpl Mandy Mitchell made some strong runs and Sgt ‘Nickers’ Underwood kept the RAF Women out of the heat in our own twenty-two by accurately kicking for touch and ground. However, the OA’s finally broke through the defence to score on the wing, which was unconverted. Leaving the half time score at 12-0.

A promising start showed the RAF Women forcing the OA’s attacking play out to the wings however after a number of onslaughts the RAF gave way allowing the OA’s their 3^rd try, this time in the corner and unconverted. Whilst still struggling in the scrums, the forwards did well in the line outs with Flt Lt Helen Reade stealing some good ball for the team to run with as well as winning the majority of their own.

Unfortunately a missed tackle in the centre cost the RAF another converted try but that was quickly followed up by some great team play coming out from the back of a ruck on the right hand side, through the hands to Cpl Lou Redmond who made a strong run for the line before passing off to Cpl Siobhan Davies who scored under the posts for her first try for the RAF. This was converted by Flt Lt Katie Sharman in the last 5 mins of the game.

A good, strong development game, which showed commitment and determination throughout.

Final score 24-7