1st VII v Trent

Date: Saturday 16th January

Venue: HOME: 2.00pm start

Please be ready at the Sports Hall at 1.50 pm. Make sure that you are not wearing any jewellery and that you have a water bottle. No Hoodies! Skins may only be worn if they are navy blue. Captain + 1 to stay for team tea please

Team:

R Lawrence
E Holroyd
E Tyler
A King
H Cornish
G Horn
S Parkin
A Smale

Result: Repton 30 : Trent 18

Match Report:

The pressure was certainly on in this match. Not only had the Trent girls defeated us at the County finals, but there were only 7 of us available to play at 2 o'clock! However, the girls did not disappoint and got better and better as the afternoon went on. We started cautiously in the first quarter, and although we made a number of mistakes, managed to contain the score to 6 goals all. The sight of darling Mrs Jenkinson stride through the doors was pure delight and it meant that for once, I was able to shout at the girls from the side line. A combination of fear and concern seemed to grip the team, and we moved up a gear. The mistakes were fewer, the team looked at where other players were moving and we made plenty of interceptions. E Holroyd in particular was outstanding and converted 3 of our opponents centre passes our way which at first team level is the difference between an win and a loss. Meanwhile at the other end, Horn and Parkin were starting to mesmerise the opposition, and they hardly missed a goal.

The half time score was 16 goals to 10 and this was well deserved by the entire team (as their 'glowing' faces testified). From there we never looked back. Parkin then had a run out at GA for 2 quarters and like Horn, she caused all sorts of trouble for the GD. Meanwhile H Cornish, playing for the first time at Centre found form, and made herself available much more throughout the court. Tyler and Smale in the Wings, stayed tight to their opponents and played their part beautifully in this very close tussle never once giving up on fighting for the ball (we even have the scratches to prove it!).

Finally, one must mention R Lawrence in only her second appearance for the team, who had a cracking game. She caused immense trouble for the opposing GS, and stuck to her task of keeping the shooter out at the edge of the shooting circle as much as possible. The defence had an outstanding game, and look a very promising prospect as we move forward in preparation for  the Midlands finals. Sincere thanks to CJJ for kindly umpiring the game so professionally, to our trusty supporters on the balcony and to Trent for making it such a good game. A fine start to the season girls. Well done! NMO