Chinnor U14 Girls come up short against Gosford & Didcot

In what was always going to be a tough contest and playing 11-a-side, the combined Gosford & Didcot side opened the scoring early. Chinnor fought back only to have the ball stripped just as they were looking dangerous. The visitors repeatedly capitalised on the space provided by only having eleven defenders to comfortably win the match.

Chinnor’s starting front row of Zoe P, Daisy C and Kayla W were strong and played well, making tackles, rucking and scrummaging. Second rowers Ava B and Violet B also had good games, providing all the above plus some strong carries into the opposition.

The combination of Rennie F at #9 and Jemima C at #10 worked well and provided a solid base for the backs. Their work-rate and determination was excellent. Starting centres & wings (some playing out of position) Tamsin B, Ceci A, Hope B and Summer I worked hard in defence against strong opposition players. Some of the tackling was scraggy and some very good, with usual full-back Hope B making some crucial cover tackles.

Ellie B and Daisy T came on in the back line and used her pace to good effect. Lily F came on and played in the second row and there was a change at #2 as well. All maintained the pressure and workrate.

Chinnor’s try was a good, old-fashioned team try. The forwards secured the scrum, the ball went out to the backs, it was recycled quickly and two further rucks were formed. The team were now just inside their 22, the ball was spun out to the fly half who saw the gap and turned on the after-burners. Despite players grabbing and breathing down her neck, Chinnor’s #10 dotted the ball down.

It’s a testament to the players that they continued to work hard for each other even when they knew they were not going to get back in the game enough to overturn six tries. Work-ons for training are two-up tackles to deal with strong ball carriers and possibly line-speed in defence.

Thanks go to Lily F, Elli B, Kayla W and Daisy T for each playing a half for the opposition.

Player of the match: Jemima C
Referee: Mr Neil McIntyre