Leicester Stoneygate V’s RAFRU(W)

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Sunday 15th Nov 2009

The RAF turned up in Leicester with the intention to improve on their last performance and walk away with a convincing win. This got underway very early on in the game when Captain/No 1, Sgt Sally Thornton, broke through the Stoneygate defence to score the first try of the game. This was easily converted by No 10, Cpl Lou Redmond.

The game continued to flow with great ball movement through the backs hands and great support running, resulting in 2 tries for No7, SAC Laura Stewart and a further conversion by No 10. With 15 mins gone the RAF were leading 19-0 and the tries just kept coming; this time scored by No 11, AC Nikki O’Donnell, again converted by No 10. Stoneygate got their first break but were held up by a very determined RAF defence. Some strong tackling from SAC P Stone and Flt Lt Helen Reade made for turn over ball and quick hands out to the backs led to a 50 metre try from No 11 who also took over the conversions.

Stoneygate kept applying pressure and eventually the RAF gave away a penalty which led to a Stoneygate try. 30 mins in and the score was 33-5 to the RAF. The game lost its shape in the last 10 mins of the first half but after a half time talk with the coaches the RAF were ready to start again.

The RAF put Stoneygate under pressure from the off and received a penalty. The kick didn’t quite make it into touch but was chased down by No’s 11 & 18, Flt Lt Katie Sharman, resulting in the first try of the second half. Try and conversion by No 11. It looked as though the flood gates were being opened up again as No 7 followed up with yet another try after running straight through the middle of a ruck, easily converted by No 11.

Some great open field play by all showed how the RAF’s new and old players were working well together and the training was beginning to pay off. The RAF started to really take advantage of the quick penalty with some great running from No 6 who hammered out a good 30 metre break. Another quick penalty made way for an outstanding team try with the touchdown coming from No 12, Cpl Siobhan Davies, taking the RAF’s lead to 52-5 after the conversion by No 11.

With 25 mins left to play the RAF’s confidence was high; the forwards were working tirelessly to get the ball out to the backs who just couldn’t stop scoring tries. The next coming from No 15, Cpl Mandy Mitchell, who was set up by a great off load from No 18 after she kept the ball from going into touch.

Another converted try followed after great link up play from No’s 10 and 11, but the final try of the game came from an amazing 60 metre run from the No 11 ending the game at 71-5 to the RAF.

Report by Sgt Crolla