West Park / VOL U18’s
2014 Worcester Invitation 12’s Champions.
At their first attempt a badly battered and bruised West Park/ VOL Team won the highly prestigious Worcester 12’s , which includes players and teams from Berkshire, Welwyn, Cardiff , Litchfield as well as the hosts Worcester , England U20’s players, Welsh U18 players and Senior Divisional Academy.
In the first game against a 5 club Baa Baas side the badly battered Northern Girls who had just the day before played one of the best sides from the USA and had endured a three hour journey started badly , conceding three early tries to a team with Meg Jones the Welsh/Hartpury 10 ruling the roost , half time brought a welcome break.
A slightly rejuvenated team took the pitch for the second half and pulled back one try through Molly Morrissey but overall didn’t look like a good day at the office.
Game two was against the hosts who had just beaten Welwyn and featured the fantastic Jade Schekells in their centres , up stood Zoe A and marshaled her brilliantly all game and up again stood Molly Morrissey to grab another try in a 6 try to 1 demolition of a very good side.
The arrival of the rocket Woosey had given added threat and the girls were on fire.
Three tries were smashed past next opponents Welwyn in a wind assited first half of the next game but opportunities to make this four or five scores were simply wasted.
The second half after England U20 full back Sydney Gregson scored two breakaway tries during the first of which Amy Harling tore her calf muscle again was a very back to the wall game with Sally Stott leading the girls brilliantly in defence.
By the time the final came against hosts Worcester, the injury count was rising , in addition to Amy , Mouse had an egg on her head , Pippa after a bang agreed to play on and Emma McCartney s knee had gone.
Worcester gave way to early pressure and two quick tries were followed by a period of absolute self implosion as time after time players individually went for glory tries and were turned over, two seemingly fair tries were disallowed both to very junior players Daisy Morrissey and Gemma Donaldson both of whom had put in a real big shift , taken some massive hits and got on with the simple job of turning over ball at the breakdown , Worcester sensing their moment grabbed a try and camped on the west park/Vol try line and only bravery and true grit saved the day , further injuries occurred sally Stott is currently awaiting news on a potential broken leg, Lydia Cowell was knocked unconscious for several minutes and required an ambulance , Zoe hurt her back...everyone else is black and blue.
But despite some bizarre referring , hit after hit simply drove Worcester back , as their captain limped in agony from breakdown to breakdown every other player stood up and was counted , no one took a backward step...true team spirit.
The final whistle brought relief but not cheering or chanting...in their usual modest and mature way the girls collected their cup and medals.
The 7th of May and a match against Hartpury College now awaits the girls followed by the National 7's at Litchfield.