Write Up: U14 Avonmouth vs Pumas, courtesy of Michael Du Plessis:

Just want to congratulate the team again, as a parent and supporter it was a very good rugby watch.

As a South African I’m a firm believer in rugby games are always won starting from the “tight 5” (forwards 1-5). The game we witnessed the girls play, really started with the tight 5. Making some great tackles and stealing quite a few balls. The work rate by a number of girls was excellent and I felt Sarah-Leigh in particular had a great game, I counted more than 15 tackles in the first half alone.

Moving to our make shift front row, wow, the girls dominated the scrum. Well done to Alyssa and Lilly for stepping up! You two done an excellent job with Hula and supported by your two locks Gracie and Sarah-Leigh.

Hula [OBs] lead the scrum and the team well as usual. She also made some of her trademark runs making some serious ground as well as making some big tackles.

Gracie made one of her best storming runs fending off multiple members of the opposing teams, was great to watch! Direct hard line running with excellent fending and also some good tackles as well. I also saw some good rucking and being fast to the breakdown as well.

In supporting the tight 5 our loose “forward” (usually flankers and number 8) but due to numbers only Daisy[OBs], had a number of strong carries, and at one point more than likely could have made the try line but unselfishly passed the ball to enable a great score by Jenna (with her nosebleeds and all, super tough).

Our girls were very effective at the breakdown, supporting each other in effective cleaning and also securing the ball. Not just the forwards but our back line players as well.

Moving to the number 9 position. Georgia had a really good game, being in the right position and tracking each breakdown brilliantly, she also took a big hit on a run and just dusted herself off, so tough. She also got one back by making a head on tackle, was so good to watch.

Moving to number 10 Kaitlyn had a great game, not just acting as first receiver but really rallying her back line to be in the right positions and to push forward on defence. We were much better at this the weekend and still need some work here but I feel because of Kaitlyn’s communication we saw the improvement. We also witnessed a solid kicking performance as well with a run away try. I also said to Kaitlyn’s dad that she has some South African rugby style in her gameplay as at one point she could have chosen to side step but decided to rather run directly at the two players in front of her. ? Lovely direct running ?

Then our backs, who due to numbers were one short, were very calm under pressure this weekend. Emmie managing to score a beautiful training ground switch play tri off the back of a scrum. Also making a number of cover tackles as well. Ona lead that back line in defence superbly with her rush defence putting the opposition under pressure, she is such a natural runner and has really grown into a great rugby player. Then last but not least our two tough wingers Faye [OBs] and Jenna who both had amazing runs, super cover tackles and both just really tough.

Long story short, well done girls, heal up, and enjoy the win.

Train hard this week, and I hope you realise that this weekend was won because you girls played as a team.

Key focus points that gave you the win:

First to the breakdown
Teamwork
Work rate

Look forward to watching your next game