"Defence wins titles" says U14 county coach

Defence wins Titles - a quote from the successful Wasps team of a few years ago, now taken on successfully by Hertfordshire's U14 Girls!

On Sunday a squad of 17 U14 girls went to Grove RFC in Oxfordshire to compete against Oxon, Middlesex and Essex. This was the first time an official team had represented the County at this age group. The girls looked very smart in their shirts borrowed for the day from their male counterparts. (pictures to follow from some parents hopefully, and some action shots?)

A big thanks to all the girls who rotated this duty against the other Counties on the day. Without their selfless support for rugby most of the squad would only have been able to get half a game in each match, and we would have been playing on half a pitch. Their exemplary attitude is a testament to the true amateur rugby ethos flowing through the girls game.

In their first game against Oxon a strong line-up took to the field. In order to ensure the game was the full 12 a side, full pitch version, 3 of the Herts. squad played for Oxon. From the kick off it was evident that both teams possessed strong defences, but the Herts. girls had stronger runners throughout the team and were able to strike from a number of positions across the backs. The forwards fought for superiority and were able to win the team a good supply of ball which allowed Herts. to keep Oxon pinned in their own half rarely breaking out into the Herts. half. Two tries in each half, all scored out wide by breaks from backs with support earned the win.

The second game the girls knew would be tough against a well drilled Essex side, containing some Regional players from last season. Again two Herts. girls played for the opposition to ensure the game could be played on a full pitch. As in the first game defences were on top and the game rarely moved out of the middle of the field. The pressure of the defences caused handling errors on both sides. Both teams found it hard to break through, though slowly Herts. were able to recycle ball and apply pressure eventually leading to the break for the only try of the game. The second half saw both teams defend strongly again the defences caused many handling errors. Herts. for the second match running preventing the opposition from entering their 22m area.

The final game saw the girls take on a new Middlesex squad which grew in numbers as the competition went on. All the girls who had played for the opposition in the first two games played for Hertfordshire in this game. In a tense first half, Middlesex took the game to Herts. with some very powerful runners. The Herts. girls made it to half time with resolute defending keeping the 22m area from being breached. Changes at half time and a talk by the coaches saw the girls come out focused for the second half. A couple of early penalties conceded by Middlesex saw Herts. able to apply pressure in the opponents 22m. A blind side break saw a try disallowed, with even the Essex coaches questioning the Refs. decision. The fitness of the girls, who mostly started playing this season, also now started to tell. The disallowed try gave the girls more momentum and with Middlesex regularly conceding penalties Herts. were able to cross three time in the left hand corner to win the match.

The girls showed great spirit in their games. Some handling and continuity was wonderful. Defence was very solid and in parts awesome. Considering that many are new to rugby this season they have great potential. The one thing we did ask but which they failed to do completely was score by the posts to make conversions easier! Obviously a communication problem here because most tries were scored by the corner flags. We mean the goal posts!!!