22nd September 2024
Team Sponsors: Kelsy Living and Life Investment Estate Agents
After a Saturday night of thunderstorms and heavy rain, all eyes were on the news of the pitch inspection for Rugby U9s match against Haunchwood in Nuneaton. Despite the wet weather the girls got the all clear – the match was on! So, with raincoats and umbrellas at the ready, the team headed to their 3rd away game of the season.
The persistent rain and ominous dark skies were no match for the girls’ enthusiasm as they were all smiles during the warm up. The squad was Primrose, Phoebe, Imogen, Maisie B, Ada, Flossie and Maisie F.
With Imogen taking a turn in goal, the match kicked off and immediately Rugby took the game to their opponents. The pace was fast and passes were thoughtful and clean right from the start, a feature of the game that Rugby would demonstrate to their advantage throughout.
The girls were playing a very wide game, with Phoebe on the right and Primrose on the left, both making strong tackles and putting the opposition under pressure at all times. Maisie B took up her usual defensive position and make sure she kept back ready to thwart any incoming attacks from Haunchwood. She connected with some fantastic long clearances ensuring they were kept at bay.
Floss and Maisie F were working together nicely in the centre, covering a good section of midfield and taking advantage of the space. Haunchwood tended to have 3 players at the back. This made a formidable defence that were sometimes a struggle to get past, but it also opened up the midfield, allowing the girls to make some great passes and runs.
Rugby were able to hold a good amount of the possession for the first 15 minutes, but a momentary lapse let Haunchwood through and they made a nice break. The girls weren’t about to let that stop them, and for the rest of the half, some great defending by Primrose and Maisie B, and interceptions of incoming balls by Imogen in goal, Rugby were definitely in control of the game.
Maisie F was strong in her tackling and never stopped running. Every time the ball went into touch she was there, ready to get the game going again, and most importantly, communicating with her team mates effectively. Phoebe demonstrated a real levelling-up in her ball skills this week, making some nice turns and showing her understanding of the flow of the game.
Floss was a constant pressure on the opposition, doing well to always win the ball from Haunchwoods 2 strong midfielders. She showed pure determination and simply never stopped running. Primrose was using the width of the pitch to great effect, managing to make long, wide runs. Just before half time, she made such a quick dribble up the left wing that even some of her teammates struggled to keep up to receive the pass, let along the opposition she left far behind. Some real skills and stamina on display.
Into the second half, Phoebe took a turn in goal. Despite this not being her usual position or strength, she showed real character in reading the game and making some brave challenges of the incoming attacks.
This allowed Imogen to take up position in midfield and she delivered a masterclass in tackling and skills on the ball, either beating her opponent to the ball or never giving up when the opposition pressed. It was this effort that earned her the coaches player today.
Maisie B continued to stymie the opposition’s forward players, never letting them get through. She even showed a skilful drag back and turn (something that the parents think is becoming her ‘signature move’).
Rugby were in full force in the second half. They just clicked as a team. Particularly Maisie F, Primrose and Ada who linked up beautifully time and again to get themselves into the opponents’ box for the attack. Ada made a couple of lovely strikes, followed by a high-arching pass from Primrose that Maisie caught on the half-volley with skill.
Rugby were so relentless even the rain gave up trying to stop them. With the umbrellas and hoods put away on the sidelines, the atmosphere stepped up a notch and it was a thoroughly enjoyable game to watch. All the girls played so well (so much so that the parents refused to single out a parents’ player of the match – it was just too difficult to choose!).
This was an impressive display of skill, teamwork and effort today. In tough weather conditions and against a strong opposition the girls did themselves proud. It was still all smiles as they headed home for a much-deserved hot chocolate.
Players of the match:
Coaches – Imogen
Parents – Everyone
Players – Maisie F
