RAF v RN – RAF Cranwell 4th Sep 15

RAF Ladies 10: 12 RN Ladies

First up the RAF took on the RN on a cold damp and breezy morning at Cranwell, both sides put on a good show despite the conditions. The first breakthrough came to the RN on five minutes, following up her own kick through Sam Alderson challenged the defending RAF player stripping the ball in doing so before regaining her feet to cross under the posts for the four pointer which she duly converted herself. That was it for the first half which was disrupted by a series of injuries most notably to RN players Kate Parkman and Emma Swinton who would take no further part in the day events. The second half began with the RAF keen to get back on terms which they did early on, Loz King crossing to cut the deficit to two points. As the half progressed another good attack by the RN gave Sarah Jenkins some space to cross and crucially she was able to get under the posts giving team mate Alderson the easy conversion, 12-4 with 7 minutes to go. Once again the RAF got back into the game, this time Hayley Needes touched down under the posts and with a good conversion the last few minutes were a bit tense fort the RN but they hung on to claim the win by 10-12.

RN Ladies
Marie Hallam, Kate Parkman , Alice Kightly, Anne Marie MacCintyre, Sarah Jenkins , Sam Alderson, Emma Swinton, Carla Pashby, Rhian Dilmore, Helen Stevenson, Pippa Hutchinson
Scorers: T Alderson, Jenkins
G Alderson 2(Conv)

RAF Ladies
Hayley Needes, Rachel Watson, Sophie Gale, Kim Williams, Alice Fisher, Jenna Mcdowell, Lyn Brooker, Kirsty Bland, Loz King, Becky Sheldon,
Scorers: T King, Needes
G 1xConv

RN 4 : 24 Army Ladies
The draw for the competition saw the RN Ladies back on the field after the break to face the Arm and with the loss of two experienced players in the first match Coach Steve Smallbone knew his charges were up against it in this match. However the RN ladies put up a good fight against the Army matching the Soldiers in midfield and in the tackle but the speedsters in the Army team, notably Bixley and Dainton, were the difference. The score at half time reflected this with the Army only ahead by 12-0 through try’s for Bixley and Lee the Army but no conversions were scored. The second half followed a similar pattern with the Army using the space out wide to use the wingers to great effect, a further try for Bixley and a couple for Dainton were the highlights of the second half. The RN did reply with w a good try of their own for Sarah Jenkins who touched down to the left of the posts. Final score Army Ladies 24-4 RN Ladies.

Army Ladies
Ellie Gattlin, Jasmina Bixley, Megan Lee, Raegan Metters, Beth Dainton, Caitlin Dummer, Katie Davies, Carrie Roberts, Alice Hardy, Sammy Palmer, Laura Latimer, Elizabeth Sevars, Louise Wilmott, Harriett Clapp
Scorers: Bixley (2), Lee, Dainton (2)

RAF/RN Ladies 12 : 24 Army Ladies

As a result of injuries sustained in the first match the RAF were unable to field a team for the planned fixture against the Army. After some discussion between the coaches and rather than waste the valuable game time the RN were asked to contribute players to ensure the game could go ahead. To that end Sam Alderson, Marie Hallam, Rhian Dilmore, Alice Kightly, Ann-Marie Macintyre and Pippa Hutchinson put their hands up and donned the light blue of the RAF for the match. Once again the Army triumphed as a result of their wingers but were held to just an 8 point lead at half time with Dainton scoring both trys. The second half was better for the Blues as they scored two converted trys during the half however a further four from the Army gave a final score of 12-24 and rounded off the Ladies completion for the day. The Player of the tournament trophy went to Army winger Beth Dainton for some outstanding wing play from deep.