Sunday 20 March. Time to go on the road again! It was the 3rd week in a row that we were playing and the 4th match of the season. We won in relatively large numbers in the last three games, so we knew that we could win again! But, of course, we first had to show it. The entire week, the weather had been amazing, leaving us longing for playing Sunday in the Sun (it’s already in the name). However, we found ourselves gathering on a relatively cold Sunday morning. In our last game against Groot Mokum, somewhere in late October, we sadly lost on a very rainy Sunday. The possibility of rain this Sunday elected a specific trauma; however, we were motivated not to let that happen again!

Last week had been quite tough on our girls. Some corona infections messed up our original line-up. In addition, some of our girls played (and got wounded) on the puppy tournament on Friday, resulting in some last-minute decisions not to play. Luckily, the start of Sunday was without (considerable) casualties. Roos was late (again). We were able to patch Iris up like a pirate, for which one-eyed Iris was able to play (text me if you want photos xoxo). Groot Mokum convinced a retired Ref to be a great referee of our game; it was decided to play 12-13 (sadly again) and play 4x20min (due to some recovering corona-cases on the Groot Mokum side).

Kick-off: Only ten minutes in the game, it was Femke to make a try after a long series of pick-and-go. And pick-and-go was an important theme of the match of today! Because our regular scrum-half, Yv, was unfortunately in corona-quarantine, we had to mix up our lineup, and Myrthe now took this critical position. As this was not our regular set-up, there was room (and shared responsibility) for a different kind of game. We decided to focus on pick-and-go. There was an important role for the forwards players AND support players (actually, just all the girls were important, haha). We literally rammed into their defensive line, went down, and the support player picked the ball up to immediately repeat this move. Today, this type of play was successful in gaining ground across the pitch.

And although in the rest of the report, I’ll try to describe our moves linked to certain players, it is crucial to keep in mind that most of these were TEAM moves and TEAM tries!

Four minutes after our first try, a series of pick-and-go lead us across the pitch. Via the line, the ball reached Sanne, who was able to make a break. A tackle and successful pick-and-go by Zoë led to our second try. Including the scored conversion (by Zoë), we were already 0-12 only 15 minutes into the game. When full-back Zoë, unfortunately, missed a tackle, Annie was at the right place at the right time and pushed the (superfast) opponent’s full-back out of the lines, preventing her from scoring a try. The pressure from the opponent brought us close to our try line. Luckily, it was Zoë who ran the entire pitch. She went forward but also passed defenders left and right, leaving them (and also us) confused behind. BUT, when Zoë went down, the support was there, resulting in a try by Ashley. After again a long series of tackles and pick-and-go, Myrthe tried the same trick, running around and diverting the opponent, resulting in another try. Wendy felt the wind beneath her wings and came quite close to the try-line. She made a late pass to Myrthe, who was able to finish it. What actually happened felt like a scene from a nature movie: Myrthe saw a chance to press the try underneath the poles but was a bit too relaxed in getting there. What she didn’t realize was that her opponent sneaked up from behind for a final tackle. While going down, she was luckily still able to make that try! After some excellent actions of our forwards girls, Flo received the ball. Some beautiful and fast running lines led her to the tryline. Unfortunately,  the Ref discovered a knock-on somewhere, for which the try didn’t count. However, this did not make the action less beautiful. Following, a goal-line drop-out, followed by a scrum, resulted in a try by Myrthe while being tackled by three girls simultaneously. It was an excellent action by Myrthe, but most of all, I’m happy that our Myrthe survived (again).

Halftime: Our game was really going well! The pick-and-goes worked. Our attacks were going for the wind. But in the defense line, we could gain strength. Although the previously described actions do not show it, the opponent was able to make holes in our defense line, and our tackles made it possible for the opponent to keep walking and gaining ground. So we needed to keep focussing on the defense! 

While waving goodbye to Wendy (who found some other sports more important on sunday), we started our second half. And we were on a roll!. After a long series of pick-and-go, it was again Femke who was able to make a try. Annie was, again, at the right place at the right time, and she showed us how fast she could run with those tiny legs! Nicely cooperating with Zoë, they avoid the fullback, leaving room for another try of Femke. Daphne created a break, ran and avoided three defending girls, and made a try (by sitting on it like a chicken on an egg? But no shame if you are playing that well!). Also, Sanne scored two more team tries.

In the last 20 minutes, it was decided to play 14-14, and Annie and Roos joined the opponents. Daphne showed how much she loved her own teammates by throwing Roos far beyond the sidelines, resulting in a lot of ‘aaaaaaahhhs’ from the sideline. It was a great submission for the human-curling competition, and Daphne’s submission moved her to second place (sorry, Ashley). A final break by Myrthe, unfortunately, resulted in a knock-on, ended the game. We won: 0-65.

Some special attention to Maegan, who played her first game for the team in the position of hooker! Great to have you on the pitch! In addition, also some special attention for el Capitan Myrthe, who played scrum-half for the first time and did an excellent job. Ashley was crowned WOTM because she is Ashley and always amazing (and had today great tackles, some great moves in the pick-and-go, and felt the wind beneath her wings when running). The opponents chose Hag™, who also played a fantastic game! We decided that there was no Vajayjay today, as we all had excelled. But there were some willing (forwards) girls to fill the bag for next week (SNACKSSSS). Comming weekend, we have a weekend off (partyyyyyy). See you guys next week! 

 

Statistics:

Tries:

• Femke 3
• Zoë (and five conversions)
• Ashley
• Myrthe 3
• Sanne 2
• Daphne

WOTM: Ashley

WOTM opponent: Hag

- Koos