Bucks Jesters have the last laugh ...

For the first time in a couple of years, Letchworth U15 players had a game as a Letchworth team when our 7 players travelled to Aylesbury on Sunday for a match against Bucks Jesters -

With the home side having slightly greater numbers, an 8-a-side game was played after Bucks Jesters kindly loaned Letchworth a player. Although the Letchworth team is very inexperienced, they responded well after an initial onslaught which saw the home side take a good lead early on. Letchworth got better and better throughout the match and finished strongly.

Final score : Bucks Jesters 25 Letchworth 5.

Most importantly, the players all seemed to have a good time and to be looking forward to more games in the next few weeks in the usual end of season festival rush that defines girls rugby. As one of the more senior players in the U15s, it was good to see Laura not taking things too seriously ...

The U18s were somewhat dimished by illness with Hayley not making the trip and Nikki only just about able to play and they were soon on the wrong end of a well worked try. Letchworth responded well to level the scores with a great break and try by Jess but Bucks Jesters were playing the more flowing rugby and Letchworth were struggling to compete with them. The hosts were deservedly rewarded with 2 more tries before half-time.

However, the second half was an entirely different matter ... with commendable determination, the Letchworth girls battled back and started to look much more dangerous. Although they conceded a try early on, their upturn in form was rewarded with tries for Carla and Charlie - the latter being converted by Carla but the last word still went to Bucks Jesters who scored a converted try with the final play of the match.

Final score : Bucks Jesters 27 Letchworth 17

Letchworth scorers :

Tries : Jess, Carla, Charlie

Conversion : Carla

This was a difficult match for the U18s but they responded well to take the game to the home side in the second half. Several players were struggling through illness or injury but they never gave up and were giving their all to the final whistle. In particular, Mel played the entire match even though she had really bad blisters on both feet and needed the support of first aider Katie to go through the 'tunnel' at the end (Thanks to Phil for the photo) ...

Well done, Mel, I hope your feet are soon feeling better. And that thought goes to all the other injured/ill players - get well soon because we ARE training this Thursday and next to get fit for the Gloucester 10s (but Wonky says you can have Easter Sunday off!)

The final thought is for Natalie who showed due respect to everyone except ... well, I can but assume it's the photographer -

I see you smirking there, Nikki .........