Harlequin Ladies Youth Academy Represent Middlesex
By Ros Holder
November 23 2006
Sunday 12th November saw members of the Harlequin Ladies Youth Academy represent Middlesex in a 4-way county competition between Essex, Hertfordshire, Middlesex and Oxfordshire.
For many of the squad this was their first ever game of rugby and the girls relished the opportunity to use the skills they had developed in training. In their first game, versus Essex, they put up a spirited effort against a well-drilled side. Although on the back foot for much of the game, Middlesex efforts were rewarded by a well-worked try. Score: Essex-33, Middlesex-5.
The next game, versus Oxfordshire, saw some strong running and excellent handling by Middlesex, allowing them to score 5 unanswered tries, of which three were converted. Score Middlesex-31, Oxfordshire-0.
The final game saw Middlesex facing an experienced Hertfordshire squad. The Middlesex defence repeatedly pressurised the Herts line into handling errors, but despite some excellent strong running, Middlesex were unable to penetrate through the Herts’ defensive line, and at half-time neither side had yet to score. Herts responded strongly in the 2nd half, making effective use of the ruck to gain ground and Middlesex found themselves repeatedly offside. A quick tap penalty from Herts whilst Middlesex were retreating allowed them to penetrate through, but the ball was knocked on over the line. From the ensuing scrum Middlesex kicked for ground, but was well picked up by Herts and quick hands through the line allowed them to score out wide. Herts continued to make good use of close contact support to run in a further two tries. Score: Hertfordshire-15, Middlesex 0.
Squad:
Catherine Bell (Grasshoppers), Lucy Chesson (Northolt), Claire Field (Northolt), Karen Gill (Grasshoppers), Chloe Hill (Harlequins), Zoë Hill (Harlequins), Ella Howe (Harlequins), Tigger Kimbugwe (Grasshoppers), Siobhan Longdon-Hughes (Grasshoppers), Claudia Martin (Harlequins), Lindsay McLaughlin (Grasshoppers), Rosie Parr (Harlequins), Rhiannon Thomas (Harlequins), Hannah Wells (Northolt), Lauren Yerby (Harlequins).