RAF Women Vs British Police - 20 Feb 09 at RAF Cranwell

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Report by Cpl Anni Williamson

Referee: Andy Cole, (Royal Navy)

Touch judge: Gaz Fairburn, (Royal Navy)

Touch judge: Dave Philpot, (Royal Navy)

Physio: Dave Bradshaw

This mid-week fixture had the RAF low on numbers, but high on confidence, as evidenced through flanker Sally Thornton playing left wing and fellow flanker Helen Reade stepping up into Nat Verner’s shoes as inside centre due to a calf injury to Nat in the second half. With the Team mascot barking support from the side line the match was hard fought and enjoyable match.

First half

Both teams were out by 1340 Hrs to start their warm up on what turned out to be a cold Friday afternoon at Cranwell Qaboos rugby pitch. With coach John Wilding leading the warm up the girls were in high spirits for what was certainly going to be a hard game.

Training tops off and the two teams were ready for battle. The RAF had won the toss and so Nicola Underwood, (No.10), got us underway with a kick Johnny W would’ve been proud of. An early penalty to the light blue saw the forwards try out their impressive moves, but an unfortunate penalty ended this session, with the Police kicking for ground sending our RAF Winger Katie Sharman into the defence to clear our line.

The fight was on, with each team gaining then losing ground and possession. Impressive tackling by forward Lynn Armstrong stopped the Police fullback from a break, but a lack of discipline saw the RAF take a penalty and start a concerted push towards their try line. A turn-over ball and the police moved back the other way, recycling the ball quickly and gaining ground resulted in the RAF leaving the left side of the sticks open. This the Police’s no 15 took advantage of and their first try by her came to them about 20 mins in. The conversion was missed and the RAF brushed the 5-0 deficit away and heads were high.

The girls fought hard to create some clear play for the backs but were finding themselves more on the defence, this they relished with Michelle Crolla folding a Police forward in half with a text book tackle. Fantastic support play from the out of position Sally Thornton gave Katie Sharman the wing man she needed as she took high ball after high ball from the, at times, panicked Police that had no options from the advancing defensive line.

The Police No 15, who was their primary playmaker, made a break, but was brought down but had gotton the offload to their No 11 who scored on the left side of the posts. Again this was not converted.

10-0

Nicola Underwood restarted the match to see Vinny Vinavaulu stopping the Police No 5 on the charge. Vinny not happy with stopping the No 5 was up and immediately tackled one of the props into touch.

Again the Police had possession and the No 15 created a switch move off a DDP that saw her put the left winger away for the next try despite a valiant defensive effort by Nat Verner. Again no conversion. 20-0

Second half

The second half was started by the Police with Steph Carylon being the catcher from the kick. A penalty to the RAF saw Nicola Underwood kick for ground and hit touch perfectly.

The ensuing breakdowns saw the RAF getting the lion’s share of the penalty’s with the Police No 1, 4 and 15 being cautioned. A penalty to the RAF saw a brave kick for the 3 points by Katie Sharman but it fell short.

Not without its mishaps The RAF got a break when the Police No 13 was sin binned. Only to turn around and be cautioned for high tackling and having one of their own sent for a 10 minute break.

The Police No 11 was the next to score chased all the way by the RAF right winger. This time it is converted. 27-0

The pressure mounts from the RAF with the forwards Martini set seeing forward movement, however the Police defence proved too much and the ball was turned over.

Steph Carlyon put in an impressive try-saving tackle, but even after the ensuing RAF line out, breakdowns, excellent clear outs and Vinny back on making up for lost time the RAF could not stop the Police scoring two more try’s with one of them converted.

A brave performance from the RAF against opposition that have international players on side and it was an important training match before the Inter services.

Final score 39-0