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Sat 04 Jul 2015
Sussex Merlins
Wrenegades - The Sisters
38
14
Sussex Merlins 38-14 RN Ladies
Keith Humpleby5 Jul 2015 - 10:06
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Despite the final score the Wrenegades first match of the season was a good run out for the squad and for the RN Union girls an introduction Rugby Le
Played at the Sussex Merlins home ground on the downs above Brighton the match was played on the Merlins all weather pitch and was played over 3 20 minute periods rather than the usual 2 40 minute halves. Coach Steve Smallbone had precious little time to prepare his side before especially with several of the girls having little experience in the 13 a side game.
This lack of experience was highlighted in the early stages as the well drilled Merlins side took the lead in the first third of the game with three unanswered try’s and a conversion before ‘V’ Vakuruivalu on her debut scored a great try using her strength and speed to beat the Merlins defence after a good period of play for the Wrenegades. Another try before the end of the first period which was well converted gave the home side the lead by 22:4.
The second period saw the Wrenegades begin to have a bit more confidence in themselves and was more than a match for the Merlins in most areas. A couple of dropped balls and a lack of experience again gave the Merlins the upper hand but the game was a lot less one sided than it might have been and with another try for Vakuruivalu in the second period Coach Smallbone was happy with the performance. The third period was probably the best of the three for the RN Ladies, gaining in confidence both in attack and especially in defence their efforts were rewarded for a hat trick try for Vakuruivalu and a well executed conversion for Rhian Dilmore. The final score 38-14 was a fair reflection of the match but led by skipper for the day Sarah Jenkins the Wrenegades gave a great account of themselves and will look to continue the development over the next month with a home tie against the Merlins ahead of the Inter Services series in September.
Sarah Butler, Andrea Marshall, Marie Hallam, Allanah Pope, V Vakuruivalu, Nil Elvidge, Sarah Jenkins (C) Kate Parkman, Emma Swinton, Anne-Mari Musselwhite, Vic Horsefield, Mac Macintyre, Rhian Dilmore, Rachel Twinning
Scorers: T- Vakuruivalu (3)
G- Dilmore (1 Conv)
This lack of experience was highlighted in the early stages as the well drilled Merlins side took the lead in the first third of the game with three unanswered try’s and a conversion before ‘V’ Vakuruivalu on her debut scored a great try using her strength and speed to beat the Merlins defence after a good period of play for the Wrenegades. Another try before the end of the first period which was well converted gave the home side the lead by 22:4.
The second period saw the Wrenegades begin to have a bit more confidence in themselves and was more than a match for the Merlins in most areas. A couple of dropped balls and a lack of experience again gave the Merlins the upper hand but the game was a lot less one sided than it might have been and with another try for Vakuruivalu in the second period Coach Smallbone was happy with the performance. The third period was probably the best of the three for the RN Ladies, gaining in confidence both in attack and especially in defence their efforts were rewarded for a hat trick try for Vakuruivalu and a well executed conversion for Rhian Dilmore. The final score 38-14 was a fair reflection of the match but led by skipper for the day Sarah Jenkins the Wrenegades gave a great account of themselves and will look to continue the development over the next month with a home tie against the Merlins ahead of the Inter Services series in September.
Sarah Butler, Andrea Marshall, Marie Hallam, Allanah Pope, V Vakuruivalu, Nil Elvidge, Sarah Jenkins (C) Kate Parkman, Emma Swinton, Anne-Mari Musselwhite, Vic Horsefield, Mac Macintyre, Rhian Dilmore, Rachel Twinning
Scorers: T- Vakuruivalu (3)
G- Dilmore (1 Conv)
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