Match report for Worcester v Sirens U15 Area Cup match

On a lovely sunny day fourteen girls headed down the M5 to the home of Worcester Warriors at Sixways to be met by ‘unbelievable’ surroundings. We all seemed to be lost in the vastness of the place but once we got our bearings and which pitch we were to play our Cup match on we were raring to go.
The pitch was in superb condition and full sized giving plenty of space on the wings. Unfortunately we couldn’t have had a worse possible start, straight from the kick-off Worcester cut us open and then used the full width of the pitch to run an ‘edge’ and score. Their fly-half, with an excellent kick, impressively converted from out wide. Score 7-0 down after one minute.
Thoughts came of this could be a ‘long day’, how wrong we were? We scored almost straight away with some nice interchanges in midfield, ending with Charlotte breaking through and scoring under the posts leaving an easy conversion for our Captain, Scarlett. Score 7-7 after five minutes.
As the game settled we seemed to get on top, scrums were going well with the front row seeming to have the edge no matter what combinations we put on - the ball seemed to always end up on our side with excellent ‘counter’ hooking by Zoe.
We seemed to have a few chances in the middle of the game but were ‘guilty’ of trying to force it too much and the ball went astray, mistakes happened but we finally got a few phases together after loosehead Erin put in a big powerful run. Jess and Abi linking up well again and the defences broke up a little allowing Katie to feed Holly to put in one of her trade mark runs, we recycled quickly giving Charlotte an opportunity to burst through again scoring right under the posts. A simple conversion giving us a well deserved half time lead of 14-7.
As the game went on in the second half we reverted back to ‘stepping back inside’ getting too involved and trying to force the play. Our mistakes led to one of their players pouncing on a loose ball and off she went with no one able to catch her scoring a breakaway try under our posts followed by an easy conversion. Score level again at 14-14.
We weren’t fazed and came right back at them showing Worcester ‘how to play’. Then we lost a ball which was snatched up by their skilful fly-half and a sixty metre breakaway try was given away. Just goes to show how simple mistakes can really be punished at this level. Crucially some angled defensive covering had forced the Worcester player to score in the corner and the resultant conversion was missed. Score 19-14.
A special mention has to go to our wing Lily Phillips as Worcester, shortly after the restart, made a break down the left wing and looked certain to score but was ‘smashed’ by Lily keeping us in the game - great first game at U15’s Lily.
Some of our best play came as the game was opening up. Holly had a try disallowed for a double movement, Anya was busting through the line, Theo was hitting ruck after ruck, Beth and Caitlin put in a few good runs helping spread the load. As we exerted pressure on Worcester we managed to turn over the ball in the corner, ten metres from their try line. This gave Scarlett a ‘no second invitation chance’ to smash through the last three ‘would be tacklers’ on an angle to draw the match level. Unfortunately she couldn’t get the conversion from out wide. Score 19-19.
We pressed at the end but we couldn’t quite get that final ‘clean’ pass to break clear and the match ended with our team ‘camped’ in Worcester’s 22 metre area of the pitch. The forwards as a whole played brilliantly led by Scarlett, Zoe and the Player of the Match, Daisy playing at Number Eight, who was outstanding. They dragged themselves and others all over the pitch making ‘monster’ tackles and clearing out rucks.
Well done to all our players, with plenty to work on but I’m impressed by our first official game of the current season against a Worcester side who regularly feature in the National Finals (top four teams in the country).

Match Report – Marcus and Brendan