U18 Girls County Festival at Broadstreet RFC 15th Jan 2023
North Midlands Vs. Warwickshire
Warwickshire started on the front foot and got within 10m of the North Midlands line but a great steal from Lily Terry set up a blistering counterattack with Ellie Lane and Megan Watson swapping passes allowing the former to speed through to open the scoring. The girls went close again down the left before a loose ball from a malfunctioning Warwickshire line out fell to a grateful Lily Terry, who wasn’t going to be stopped from 10 meters out. The home side soon made their way into the North Midlands half only for the girls to force another turnover with some stout defending, Els Watkins went on an incredible jinking run, and was only stopped by a desperate tackle from the full-back, four or five phases later Connie Jordan powered over in the corner from short range.
The North Midlands team looked as dangerous without the ball as they were in possession, a smart interception from Els Watkins on halfway allowing her to sprint through unchallenged. From the restart, Warwickshire made the mistake of picking out Lily Terry, who showed strength to break the line and then pace to outstrip the defence to score again. Next, a strong run from Kai Tolkien set up good field position and it looked like Emily Cook had scored when she dived on a loose ball over the line, only for play to be called back for a knock-on in the build-up. A big push from the pack allowed Lily Terry to go from the back of the scrum and score her third as the half time whistle blew.
Changes in personnel for the second half but no let-up in the intensity as the girls soon scored again; Isabella Wilkinson cutting a nice line between defenders. The next phase of play saw some wonderful handling from North Midlands, Megan Watson, Abi Evans and Milly Evans all throwing offloads that had the opposition chasing shadows. With the girls camped inside their 22, Warwickshire were defending desperately, and even when they won possession back, they could not manufacture an exit, Ella Baldock stopping a nascent counter with a big hit before Claudia Sobey and Becca Garlick combined really well to return a clearance. The ball then squirted loose from a scrum 10m out and Lottie Buffery-Latham was first to react, dragging two defenders with her the over the line. The final try of the game came from a short-range drive by Heidi Pullan after more strong running from Milly Evans, Lottie BL and Megan Watson.
Final Score:
Warwickshire 0 – 55 North Midlands
Tries:
Ellie Lane
Lily Terry (3)
Connie Jordan
Els Watkins
Isabella Wilkinson
Lottie Buffery-Latham
Heidi Pullan
Conversions:
Ellie Lane (4)
Milly Evans
North Midlands Vs. Staffordshire
Next up was Staffordshire, a side buoyant from a last-ditch victory over Warwickshire and whom North Midlands had squeaked a 10-5 victory against back in November. With the game being played under floodlights in front of the stand, all was set up for a memorable encounter and the game did not disappoint. A breathless start saw Ellie Lane rip the ball and counter only for Staffs to do the same and it took a great tackle from Chloe Newbury to stop a promising-looking break. North Midlands then opened the scoring, Els Watkins and Lily Terry combining well, allowing the former to zip through. The girls were getting a lot of joy attacking down the left wing and it took a desperate tackle from the fullback to halt a brilliant run from Nicola Davenhill. As the girls made their way inside the 22 an interception from the Staffs centre saw her run clear of the defence, Nicola Davenhill did brilliantly to somehow make up the ground but the 12 just managed to wriggle free and Staffordshire were back on terms.
With their tails up Staffs came again and North Midlands defended heroically, Ella Baldock making a couple of big hits in midfield and Claudia Sobey crashing into two dominant tackles in a row. The forwards swarmed to every breakdown and Emily Cook disrupted lineouts to great effect. After a spell of committed defending, a turnover allowed Lily Terry to counter and put North Midlands ahead just before half time.
A great start to the second half saw Isabella Wilkinson win the ball at a breakdown and two phases later, with Staffordshire scrambling to reset defensively, Lottie Buffery-Latham spotted a gap and went from the back of a ruck, her powerful run taking her all the way to the line. North Midlands were now dominating at the breakdown, Milly Evans affecting the next turnover allowing Megan Watson to make a good break. The forwards then kept the ball warm before Heidi Pullan picked up the ball 10m out, she went right then thought better of it, cut back left and dived over the line. From the restart Lily Terry almost scored another spectacular try, going from 22 to 22, only for the full-back to again come to Staffs rescue. The North Midlands number 8 didn’t have to wait long for her try though, running a hard line off Heidi Lantos from a scrum and carving a hole through the defence. Emily Braid went close and North Midlands were still pushing forward as the final whistle blew on a great day of rugby.
Final Score:
North Midlands 29 – 5 Staffordshire
Tries:
Els Watkins
Lily Terry (2)
Lottie Buffery-Latham
Heidi Pullan
Conversions:
Heidi Lantos
Milly Evans
Credit to James Baldock as the author – thank you.
