RGC 1404 U18 Girls hosted a Canadian touring side at Parc Eirias on Sunday 28th March. The game had originally been scheduled as a Colwyn Bay game, but due to the club being made unavailable at short notice, Parc Eirias was fantastic in making their facilities available.
Unusually for the team, RGC had squad of 20 players, which meant a full-sided game with substitutes was played.
The first ten minutes showcased the skills of the Canadian girls, as they had the lion’s share of possession. However, solid and well-organised defence by RGC meant that play stayed around the half-way line.
Soon after this, RGC found their feet, and began to play the expansive game they are known for. After an intelligent kick which caught the Canadian defence unawares, Centre Alaw Hughes danced her way to the line 12 minutes in, but the referee deemed the try held up, resulting in a 5m scrum. Quick ball and good running by the backs allowed prop Amelia Stubbs to brush aside 6 would-be tacklers to power over the line for the first impressive try of the game. Flanker Cara Hope kicked a difficult conversion to give RGC a 7 point lead.
This was soon built upon, however, as a clever kick ahead from centre Iona Evans allowed incisive running from fly-half Gwen Harries. The resulting ruck set up an excellent platform for Stubbs again to blast through the Canadian defenders to score her second try.
In the dying stages of the first half scrum-half Kaya Harding scored a third try for RGC, darting through two defenders to touch down. Hope added the conversion to give the home side a 19-0 half-time lead.
In the second half RGC only grew stronger as rolling substitutions throughout the game saw the team try out various different combinations in preparation to compete next season. Inter-play between the backs and forwards throughout the match proved to be a strong component in the win, and in a decisive move the forwards set up the ball for Harries to seize and spot a gap to score in. Hope added the conversion.
A real team-try was scored by RGC front-row utility player Paige Davies, as phase after phase crept closer to the Canadian try line. Strong drives from Ellie Dorey, Chloe Dymond, Kumari Tilakawardane and Catrin Williams allowed Davies to drive over from a strong position.
In what was only fitting for their effort, the Griffins scored an excellent individual try through Shareen Kritzer, who seized upon a loose kick from RGC and used her speed to run in a try.
Not to be outdone, Harding, who kept the game running smoothly with her darting runs and quick service, out-ran the opposing wing player shortly after to run in a superb try in response under the posts.
In the end RGC were convincing 36-5 winners, but this did not stop the post-match festivities, as both teams enjoyed food provided by the home team players and supporters, whilst getting to know each other and learning quite a bit about the different cultures!
Many thanks to referee David Owen.
RGC 1404 U18 Girls would like to thank the Winston Churchill Griffins for an enjoyable experience and game on Sunday, and wish them the best of luck on the rest of their tour throughout Wales.
Many thanks to the management and staff at Parc Eirias for their support of girls rugby in North Wales.
Points:
RGC U18s: Amelia Stubbs – 2 tries, Kaya Harding – 2 tries, Gwen Harries – 1 try, Paige Davies – 1 try, Cara Hope – 3 conversions
Griffins: Shareen Kritzer – 1 try
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