Rochford and Medway Saracens (RaMS) Girls U15’s at the Grasshoppers St Georges Day Tournament, 21 April 2013

The first game was against Berkshire, the RaMS applied early pressure and capitalised after some excellent play and scored, Berkshire responded immediately and almost unopposed scored. This did not go down to well with the RaMS, who played some excellent rugby for the rest of the game scoring a further 6 tries, final score 35 – 5 to the RaMS.
The next game against Ellingham and Ringwood was played after a match break, the girls were playing some great rugby and were hungry for the ball, the combination of forwards and backs tackling hard and winning the ball and breaking forward was truly impressive, the RaMS scored six tries in this game winning 30 – 0.

RaMS had a short break and as one of the teams were short a player the RaMS obliged by lending them Dannielle for the game to play for Ellingham, unfortunately during the game she took a serious knock to her leg right at the end of the game, leading to her being taken to hospital for an X-Ray, unfortunately due to a small event in London at the time (the Marathon) there were few ambulances available so it took quite a while for her to be taken.

RaMS were now down to 10 players with no reserves, worrying to say the least. Due to a pitch being out of action due to Dan’s injury there was a delay in the RaMS playing their next Match against the Grasshoppers, however the enforced rest did not make any difference as the girls picked up where they left off, they were made to play hard by a determined Grasshoppers home team but ended winning comfortably 50 – 0.

The final group game was against Hampstead, Hampstead worked hard competing well for the ball but they were up against a RaMS team with the bit between their teeth, Hampstead deservedly scored a hard fought try near the end but by this time RaMS were home and dry having themselves scored 10 tries, 50 – 5.

The RaMS were now through to the semi finals and were due to play Ealing who finished second in the other pool. RaMS were in top gear at this point and were competing for the ball in all areas of the pitch, again despite a dogged defence they could not match the power and skill that the RaMS were now playing with, the final score 50 – 0 to the RaMS.

The RaMS were now in the final and were playing Berkshire BABA’s again as they had beaten Gosport the winners of the other pool in the semi-final. The RaMS were in no mood to lose out now playing some excellent rugby and going 15 – 0 up, a slight worry occurred when Berkshire scored, but this seemed to drive the RaMS on who quickly scored in response and went on to win the final 35 -5. The only fly in the ointment being a clash of heads between two players leaving them both dazed on the floor and awaiting treatment by the paramedics, get well soon Lauren and the Berkshire player.

A presentation was then made to all the teams winning their respective finals and the trophies and medals being presented to the girls by England and Wasps prop Claire Purdy. Well done to the girls and their coaches all the hard work has paid off!