Horsham Under 18 Girls vs Medway – 1st October

Horsham Under 18 Girls vs Medway – 1st October
Horsham hosted a very strong Medway side on Sunday, both teams a bit short on numbers so it was agreed that they would start the game 13 a side due to injury and un-availability. Many of the Horsham players playing out of position, but very much up for the challenge, notably Graceanne Claffey at scrum half and Shay and Nia Spice playing centre and full back respectively.

The game started well for both teams, with some hard running and brutal defence in the early stages. Unfortunately for Horsham, an awesome break from Olivia Beckett who was tackled well by Medway and limped off after a few minutes.

After Medway then very kindly lent Horsham a substitution in the backs a quick reshuffle of the back line and Horsham were on the attack from the scrum. Some good set up play from Chloe Cochlin and Florrie Drew, the ball was spun to Mary McDonagh who carried 2 defenders over the line to score. Unfortunately, the conversion was missed to make the score 5-0 to Horsham.

This sparked Medway into life from the kick off putting Horsham under a lot of pressure. Some hard running and pace out wide from the visitors had them quickly camped on the Horsham line. An unfortunate knock on from them, got Horsham off the hook. Horsham were turned over in their half, which had Horsham on the back foot, only for Nia Spice with a perfectly timed steal at the ruck, enabled Horsham to attack.

Some strong runs from the front row trio of Isatou Jagne, Izzy Dunn and Sophia Carrillo McCallen, put Horsham into a better attacking position. An incredible turnover from Medway and some awesome hands put them in for a try, which was expertly converted. 5-7.
Horsham put Medway under pressure from the kick off with a great tackle from Flo Hill, Shay spice turned over the ball. McDonagh found herself in the right place at the right time, filled in at Scrum half, delivered a miss 3 player pass that Mo Hunt would have been proud of. The ball found Millie Smith in lots of space with Sophie Reed outside her. Sophie read the play and drew the defence to her and Millie’s well timed dummy and rounded 3 players from 40m to scoot in for the try. Conversion was missed narrowly to bring Horsham to a 10 – 7 lead at Half Time.

The next 20 of the game was tense with both team hammering at each other with the best they could, but each other’s defence held strong. When either team looked like they were about to score, a huge tackle or well timed turnover from either team stopped the attack in its tracks. Medway seemed to be putting more players into the rucks in the second half which disrupted the Horsham attack and showed how well drilled of a team they were. Horsham took a while to notice this but were able to address this the later the match went on.

A clearance kick from McDonagh, was well chased by Reed and Smith, the subsequent ruck was turnover over by the Spice sisters and the ball came out to Sophia Carrillo McCallen. Rampaging through the defence and then a perfectly timed offload to Smith, who rounded the full back to score her second of the day. With the conversion unsuccessful Horsham took a valuable 15-7 lead into the last 10 mins.

This 10 mins would be extremely tense after another knee injury but this time to Reed, put Horsham down to 12. Medway were on the attack and after 12 phases, their patience paid off with a try that they fully deserved. The conversion was missed and that was the last play as the Referee blew the final whistle. 15-12 to Horsham it finished.
Mary McDonagh & Isatou Jagne were voted joint players of the match

Thank you for Medway for making the long journey down and an incredible game of rugby, that was truly in the amazing spirit of the game. Next match is a tournament at Guildfordians on the 8th October.