RFUW Development squad inflict impressive defeat on Combined Services
Nov
The RFUW Development Squad cruised to an impressive seven try, 37-0 victory against the Combined Services tonight (Wednesday) at Aldershot Rugby Stadium in a special Remembrance Day fixture.
Darlington Mowden Park Sharks' Jennifer Edwards was at the heart of the development squad's attack, collecting an impressive four tries en route to the victory. Lichfield's Victoria Fleetwood, Wasps' Adrienne McAlpine and Richmond's Kay Wilson also crossed to help ease the development squad to the victory.
Edwards opened the score-sheet for the RFUW side after just three minutes, and in doing so set the tone for the game. It was Lichfield's Vicki Jackson who made a superb break on the right wing to set up Edwards who then sprinted into score in the right corner. Jackson missed the conversion.
Edwards collected her brace just after the half-hour mark when a great break by Reading's Hannah Field saw the RFUW side gain territory in the Services' 22. A good pass to release the outside backs then saw Edwards run in for a soft try.
Hooker Fleetwood then handed her side a 17-0 lead at the break with Bristol's Tina Lee adding the conversion. Centre Sarah McKenna made the space with an excellent break, cutting through the defence. Flanker Juliet Short was in support and, after being brought down just short of the line, she managed a good off-load to Fleetwood who got herself over the line.
Edwards carried on where she had left off in the second half with the winger securing her hat-trick on 44 minutes. Full back Jackson sliced her way through the services' defence after some immediate good pressure before off-loading to the on-form Edwards.
Substitute McAlpine then made an immediate impression scoring after just three minutes of being on the pitch. The Wasps player took the advantage when she was in possession of the ball and then passed to Wilson. Staying in support McAlpine then took the ball on again just outside the 22 to run in and score.
The RFUW Development side soon eased to a 32-0 lead when Wilson crossed for a great individual try, soon followed by Edwards who wrapped up the evening for the youngsters.
RFUW Development Squad Coach Andy Paton said: "This was an excellent performance and there were some outstanding performances from players who have just come out of the England U20s set-up and the U18s Talent Development Group. The work we are doing with these players shows they are improving but it is game days like this which really underlines the results.
"Despite having very little preparation time together, everyone played for each other, and the emphasis we have placed on our core skills and our consistent work in the tackle, prevented the Combined Services from gaining any real chance to challenge our line."
RFUW Development Squad:
15 Vicki Jackson (Lichfield), 14 Elizabeth Riley (Wasps),
13 Sarah McKenna (Old Albanian Saints), 12 Fiona Jones (Lichfield), 11 Jennifer Edwards (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 10 Tina Lee (VC) (Bristol), 9 Ali Taft (Lichfield), 1 Victoria Cornborough (Richmond), 2 Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield), 3 Tracy Balmer (Worcester), 4 Jenny Brightmore (Loughborough), 5 Amy Millar (Worcester), 6 Juliet Short (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 7 Hannah Field (Reading), 8 Laura Jenkins (C) (Richmond). Replacements: 16 Katherine Evans (Vale of Lune), 17 Millie Fuggles (St Albans), 18 Emily Braund (Novocastrians), 19 Geri Thomas (Old Albanian Saints), 20 Fiona Davidson (Richmond), 21 Adrienne McAlpine (Wasps), 22 Kay Wilson (Richmond)
Tries: Edwards (4), Fleetwood, McAlpine, Wilson
Conversions: Lee (1)
Penalties:
Substitutions: Davidson for Taft, Wilson for Jones, McAlpine for Riley, Fuggles for Balmer (all 49), Evans for Fleetwood, Braund for Millar (all 57).
