EAST MIDLANDS R.F.U.W. Under 18's match report - v - North West 10th February  2008

East Midlands Under 18's opened their 2008 programme with a comfortable 55 points to 5 win over the North West at Melton Mowbray R.U.F.C. on the 10th February. The first half was srappy affair with mistakes aplenty from both sides. It was clear however from the early stages that East Midlands had the better of their opponents in most area's of the pitch and as they tired during the second half East Midlands came into their own with a display of fine attacking rugby from all parts of the pitch.

First half tries by Lizell Heather, Mica Grossett and Fran Eggleshaw plus two conversions by Captain Hannah Walker - Smart gave the hosts a 19 points to 5 lead going into the interval.

Despite the lead, a certain frustration was shown by both players and coaches that the team had played nowhere near it's true potential and resolved that the intensity in the second half would be stepped up and handling errors would be eliminated.

The half time talk certainly seemed to have the desired effect with East Midlands scoring a further 36 points without reply. Tries were scored by Emily Scarratt 2,Amy Phillips, Sarah Roberts, Vicky Fleetwood and Fran Eggleshaw. Walker - Smart completed the scoring with a further 3 conversions.

On reflection this was a good start by the side who put together a 55 point win on the back of one two hour training session. Some of the rugby played in the second half was of a very high standard with pace and offloads in the contact area keeping the ball alive.

The next fixture for the Under 18's is away to Thames Valley on the 16th March.

Team

1.   Roberts ( replaced 55 mins by Swann )

2.   Lewin     ( replaced 55 mins by Fleetwood )

3.   Wormington

4.   Holdgate

5.   Pridam ( replaced at half time by Wild )

6.   Boyse ( replaced 60 mins by Hayes )

7.   Conway ( replaced at half time by Whyman )

8.   Eggleshaw

9.   Stokes

10.  Walker - Smart

12.  Phillips

13.  Grossett

11.  Kirk ( replaced 50 mins by Nicholls)

14.  Scutts