Berkshire U18 Girls get caught by Dorset & Wilts U18 Girls.

MATCH REPORT

Dorset & Wilts u18 Girls vs Berkshire u18 Girls

PLAYED AT: Chippenham RFC

DATE: Sun 20th March

The side featured players from Reading RFC, Henley College, Rams RFC, Bracknell RFC and Newbury RFC with many of them coming through from the Berkshire U15 squad a few years ago and several making their Berkshire county debuts.

With the first county game for ages since the pandemic and preparation disrupted by the weather, no one knew what to expect of this game. Played in glorious sunshine but with a strong crossfield breeze on the new AGP at Chippenham the game set off at a frantic pace.

In the first half Berkshire U18s were in the ascendancy (other than the lineouts which were a lottery for both teams) and try from Molly Peterson, then a Penalty kicked by Niamh Williams and 2nd try from Millie David meant we went into the break 13 nil up.

The Dorset & Wiltshire coaches obviously gave a good halftime brief as the tide was turned in the second half. Their increased intensity combined with a greater number of Berkshire players with little experience playing alongside (from the halftime changes) started to show.

Despite a strong scrum, some heroic individual efforts and a try by Izzy Bruton (Converted by Niamh) we were 26 – 20 down with a few minutes to play. The Berkshire girls kept pressuring until the end where a knock-on almost on the D&W try line ended the game with a 26 to 20 loss but a great first run out of the season.

Well played to both teams.

THANKS to Marla White for the photography and to Chippenham RFC for the hospitality

CONTACT DETAILS

For more details on the fixtures and honours players that have come through the Un18 programme go to the Berkshire U18 Girls County Page (link at the bottom).

Berkshire RFU would like to extend our gratitude to all the clubs, coaches, referees and supporting volunteers across the county who have developed and inspired these young players during their formative years to reach this highly respected honour in representing the county – You make a difference!