Success for Sussex Under 15 Girls

After the slow start we made against Surrey last month we knew we had to be more focused and take the game to the opposition. From the kick off we did just that. We soon started to press the Berkshire line and after a few minutes Caitlin Flower nearly scored twice only to knock the ball on stretching for the line. After some well worked ball from our forwards it led to a try being scored by our fly half Jas Clarke. At the restart Berkshire begun to test our defence and soon broke through and put us under pressure. We defended well and soon got back into the opponents half and Heather Clegg made a strong run broke their line and scored. This was converted by Izzy Collis. Shortly before half time Izzy broke from a maul and scored. She converted her own try.  

As the second half begun, our supporters were expecting more of the same. This was not to happen. Berkshire soon run the ball down the line and scored and an unconverted try. We were hoping this was due to a lapse in concentration but again within minutes their fly half took control of the ball and Berkshire went over for another try. Our lead was narrowing and was to decrease even further when another try by the opposition reduced our lead to four points. If we were to win the match we needed possession and for a few minutes our forwards regained control again and won the ball for Lily Dibb-Fuller to produce a strong run and score. This was converted again by Izzy Collis. We thought we were safe but within seconds Berkshire came back and scored to bring the gap back to four points. It was a nervous last few minutes but we played some intelligent rugby and held on to win 24-20.

We showed great character in the game to hold on and Berkshire should be congratulated on the way they came back to make it such a close game.

We entered the game very confident after our well earned victory against Berkshire. Our confidence was justified when Heather Clegg scored putting us into an early lead. We begun to control the battle upfront with our forwards winning plenty of ball and Caitlin Flower took advantage of this and scored. Shortly before half time Izzy Collis scored to take us into a 15-0 half time lead.

We learnt our lesson from the first game and did not take our foot off the pedal when the second half started. Very soon a strong run by Jess Breach ended with her scoring a try which was converted by Izzy Collis. From the restart we attacked again and Jas Clarke added to the score with a try which again was converted by Izzy.  Two further tries were to follow one each from Caitlin Flower and Heather Clegg and both were converted by Izzy.

This was a free flowing game and good to watch some great handling skills from all players.

Heather Clegg Sussex Player of the Torrnament
Thanks must go to our referee for the two matches and also to Ryan Breach who volunteered to run the line for us. Thanks also of course to the parents who braved the cold weather to give the team some valuable support. Every team member played well and you should all be proud of yourselves. The player of the tournament goes to Heather Clegg for some great support work and team play together with some strong attacking running.

As coaches it has been a great pleasure to work with the players at Sussex this season and all the best for the remainder of your season with your respective clubs.