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Millwall Venus XV
Match Report Opposition:
Hammersmith Click here to return to the Match Report Index page. Report written by: Jodie "Big Mama" Botha
At long last the eagerly anticipated return match against Hammersmith arrived. Things surely would be different this time round, encouraged by recent good performances against East Grinstead and Hove we turned up bright eyed and bushy tailed at the farm eager to show that we finally had learnt how to play rugby.
A few hours later and we were a destroyed bunch. The only conciliation being that the Hammersmith captain had strangely missed kicks in front of the posts and this was the only reason we managed to avoid being humiliated with a 3 figure score.
Where did it all go wrong?
For starters, we had god bless that diamond geezer chairman Kev referring us. Not only did he threaten to send yours truly off before the game but he left me on only to penalise me at every available opportunity. Mind you Hammersmith also suffered from Kev's obscure knowledge of the rules so perhaps I shouldn't take it personally, just don't stay out to late at night Kev, that's all I'm saying.
We then knew our game plan to tie the ball into the forwards was going to be compromised with Hammers request for uncontested scrums. A sigh like the wind in the trees on a lazy summer's day rippled through the team. This had happened to us before.
Our generally efficient and effervescent pack was made impotent by the speed of the Hammersmith game and the deftness of the two half backs in shipping the ball from one side of the pitch to the other. We simply couldn't keep up. In contrast the backs showed what they were made of. A return to fly half for Emma Louise was characterised by some great runs and loops (fitness training does bring results!). The two outstanding members of the backs were Andrea and Claire. Andrea had been feeling somewhat nervous to play against the opposition, especially as she unwisely decided to wear their socks. Despite this handicap she was a real inspiration, keeping up that stream of North American (yes we know she's Canadian but she's too damned positive) encouragement. Her unflagging determination to stop her old team and to score for us would have brought a tear to my eye if I didn't have a heart of stone. Claire was a revelation at full back. Fantastic running, fearless tackling and most of all vocal and physical support showed a talent for the future.
We simply didn't do enough at the break downs. The possible exception to this being team manager Rachel Dipper, who was again the most solid performer on the pitch. Her game was full of the kind of crunching tackles that are lacking by others. Our failure (forwards mainly) to get to the breakdown promptly meant she had to commit herself to the contact (rather than feed the ball out) to cover for our failings.
At least our determination not to give up remained intact and yet again we proved we were winners in the bar, I'm not sure if the opposition's man of the match will ever be able to walk again after being left alone with us! If only we'd got the whole team paralytic before the game, we might have stood a chance. There's an idea…….
Click here to return to the Match Report Index page. Visit our Gallery of team and individual photos - click here.
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