Middlesex Rugby
Success for Middlesex Ladies
Senior Ladies play in the London North & South Inter Counties competition
Middlesex Ladies made a flying start in the first leg of the London North & South Inter-counties competition, winning both their games in the first leg of the competition held on Sunday 30th September at Canterbury RFC, Kent, writes John Porter-Griffiths.
The newly formed team had only benefited from 3 hours on the training field, so it was to be expected that the opening game started slowly, with both sides finding their feet. Play was rather stop and start, but the impasse was finally broken when Liz Riley received the ball on the halfway line and sprinted down the left wing to open Middlesex’s account with a fine try in the corner. Kelly Davies’ conversion attempt narrowly missed.
Within minutes Sussex replied with an interception taken on their own 22 meter line and a fine run in by the Sussex outside centre saw her ground the ball under the posts. The conversion followed putting them ahead 5-7.
Middlesex rallied immediately, and minutes before the end of the half, quick ball from the breakdown set the backs free, quick hands down the line allowing captain, Caroline Wolfendale off on a fine run to score Middlesex’s second try.
Half-time score Middlesex 10, Sussex 7.
The physicality of the game saw Middlesex make five substitutions within the first few minutes of the second half. The game continued and the team settled down to play some good running rugby and string together a series of phases of play. The highlight of the second half was a break by the Middlesex forwards which resulted in Falon Whitely breaking free of the chasing pack, off-loading to Liz Riley on the twenty-two. It was a formality for Liz to turn on the after burners and cruise in for the final try of the game which was duly converted by Kelly Davies.
Final Score: Middlesex 17, Sussex 7.
The second game, against Essex, kicked off ten minutes later. Play was initially dominated by the Essex pack who were a level above Middlesex in aggression, and in the eigth minute of the game Essex’s forward dominance resulted in a try being awarded to them under the posts. The remainder of the half saw some solid defending from Middlesex.
Half-time score: Middlesex 0, Essex 5.
Middlesex made a number of half-time substitutions, and their perseverance, combined with fresh legs beagn to pay dividends. Middlesex settled down and started to play through the phases, setting up ball for the backs to run. Clever recycling and use of the quick ruck ball allowed Middlesex to begin to exert pressure on Essex.
The organisation of the Middlesex Ladies paid off as Falon Whitely broke from the base of the ruck to score the first Middlesex try of the game, leveling the score. Three minutes later saw Falon crossing the line for a second time, this time converted by Davies. Final Score: Middlesex 12 – Essex 5.
Team: Kike Agunbiade, Karen Cardy, Cheryl Coulby, Kelly Davies, Sarah Edwards, Elinor Faulkner, Hannah Forbes, Nicola Hill, Kim Horstmanhoff, Adi Jidji, Stephanie Kirby, Sandra Kunkler, Linda Merritt, Liz Riley, Nikki Shields, Charlotte Veal, Falon Whitely, Caroline Wolfendale (Capt.)
