U18s fight back!

There are days, let's be honest, when things just don't seem to go right. Sunday was like that. It started when I hurt my back lifting a 1 kg box into the car. It continued when I was the only one to get in the wrong lane near Grasshoppers RFC and have to watch, of all things, Wonky going the right way grinning at me. And it finished with the U18s losing a game which they dominated for long periods ...

The first half was a fairly even affair but two brilliant pieces of individual skill from Middlesex gave them a lead of 14-0 at the break. In contrast, the second half was pretty much one way traffic as Letchworth Saracens camped in the Middlesex half for half an hour and pressed incessantly on the try line. The forwards were magnificent all day and drove mauls over the tryline twice but were unable to get the ball down where the referee (or anyone else) could see it. The backs ran and ran, trying all angles of attack and were narrowly denied tries on several occasions before Alice crossed on the left flank to get Letchworth Saracens on the scoresheet. To the final whistle, the girls continued to push but were unable to get the vital scores despite having the ball 'held up' over the line twice and getting to the tryline but unable to make the extra couple of inches on at least 4 occasions.

It must be said, of course, that no matter how hard Letchworth Saracens attacked, the Middlesex Leopards defence was awesome and, because of that, they fully deserved the victory. That and the two dazzling tries, of course.

Despite the result - and the disappointment that went with it - this was a great team performance with every one of the players giving their all right to the final whistle.

Result :

Middlesex Leopards 14 : 5 Letchworth Saracens

Scorer :

Try : Alice