Sarries2008 Womens News

Womens Section - News

A Fantastic End to the 2007/08 Season

Exeter Saracens Girls Rugby section had a great day at the RFUW National 7's competition which was held at Leighton Buzzard RFC on the May 24th 2008. Saracens u18's won their age group while the u15's were runners up in theirs.

Under 18's

Pool game 1 - v Wisbech Grammar School won 25 - 0 with tries from Charlotte Green, Clare Simpson and a hatrick from Garnet MacKinder

Pool game 2 - v Wimborne won 19 - 0 . This was a tough game for sarries knowing that they had lost to Wimborne in the regional 10's competition a few weeks ago but they were determined to put that behind them and saw off the Dorset side with a Garnet Mackinder hatrick and 2 conversions from Charlotte Green.

Pool Game 3 - v Waterloo/Tydesley - walkover as the opposition withdrew due to injury problems

1/4 final - v East Norfolk won 30 - 5. Two tries from Clare Simpson plus one each from Garnet Mackinder, Amy Alford, Bethan Ayling and Emily Hunter put sarries through to the semi final.

Semi Final - v Worcester won 21- 0. This was a really tough game for Saracens as they went up against the Worcester girls who are probably the best team in the country over the last couple of years. Saracens determined tackling and well organised defence kept pressure on the midlanders and forced them into making uncharacteristic mistakes. With Saracens speedster Garnet MacKinder scoring early on the pressure really mounted and with Saracens refusing to give ground Worcester started to crack, Charlotte Green scored just before half time with MacKinder getting a second to seal the game after the break. Green kicked all three conversions.

Final - v Wimborne won 22 - 7. After beating Wimborne in the pool stages all memories of Regional 10's loss were forgotten as Saracens eyed the trophy and they continued with the fast off-loading game that had served them so well during the day. Garnet MacKinder got her hatrick of hatricks and Charlotte Green added another try to her tally for the day, Caitlin Short added a conversion. Although Garnet MacKinder may grab the headlines with her fantastic try scoring exploits, 12 in this competition bringing her total for the season to 40 for her club let alone those she has scored for county, region and England Colleges. This was a real team effort with all 12 squad members making valuable contributions to the days results. Skipper Emily White led by example as always making some big tackles and winning turnover ball. She was well supported by Amy Alford and Clare Simpson and scrum half Caitlin Short moved the ball away well from the contact areas. Saracens squad:- Emily White, Emily Hunter, Amy Alford, Lucy Alford, Charlotte Green, Sophie Staniforth, Clare Simpson, Caitlin Short, Bethan Ayling, Jennie Hamer, Izzy Austin-Zimmerman, Garnet MacKinder.

Under 15's

Pool game 1 - v Basford won 14 -5. Saracens started well with some good tackling which didn't allow their opponents time to settle on the ball and with Lauren Bartlett getting an early score converted by Carey Wellby the sarries girls always looked in control. A telling blindside break by skipper Holly Beaven got the second try which was again converted by Carey Wellby. Basford did get a try back but it was too little too late.

Pool game 2 - v Ellingham and Ringwood won 31 - 0 . again it was Saracens ability to make good tackles and win the turnover ball combined with good support play that saw them win this game comfortably. Holly Beaven scored 2 tries with one each from Sophie Reed, Rachel Betts and Lauren Bartlett with 3 conversions from Steph Papp.

Pool Game 3 - v Whitney Cherubs won 36 - 10. It was more of the same in this game as saracens kept the ball when they had it and made sure that their opponents didn't keep the ball for very long with some great tackling. The intensity that they were playing at did take a toll as Sarries tired and Whitney started to come back at them but once again it was too late to affect the result. Two tries each for Lauren Bartlett and Sophie Reed and one each for Emma Hellier and Jordan Crook. Carey Wellby converted three.

1/4 Final - v Waterloo/Tydesley won 32 - 5 The girls delivered more of the same as they swept Waterloo aside with a hatrick from Holly Beaven, two tries from Steph Papp and one from Mica Evans with Steph Papp converting one.

Semi Final - v Spalding won 19 - 0 This was a very tough game as Spalding had won through to the semis playing similar fast flowing rugby to Saracens and both sides had chances but the defences held firm. Saracens gradually got on top and three tries from Holly Beaven two of which were converted by Carey Wellby saw them through to the final.

Final - v North Hykeham lost 12 -10. This was a thrilling finale to the days events and once again the two teams played in a very similar style with good tackling preventing tries from being scored on several occassions. Inspirational skipper Holly Beaven broke the deadlock and Sarries seemed to be getting the better of things as Emma Hellier scored in the corner on the stroke of half time. The Licolnshire side were fired up for the start of the second half and scored straight from the kick off as the ball took a wicked bounce over the head and away from a sarries player straight in to the arms of a Hykeham player who scored. North Hykeham then upped their game as they felt that they were back in with a chance and battered away at the Saracens line and eventually they crossed the line close enough to the posts for the conversion to be kicked. Saracens then doubled their efforts but could not find a way through an opposition who having worked so hard to get back into the game were not going to relinquish their two point lead. It was a great final and reflected well the high standard of rugby that had been played throughout the day.

Although obviously disappointed at not winning the title Saracens should look back on how far they have come in a year. Last season they didn't even qualify for the cup competition, this year they came very close to winning it. Saracens Squad:- Holly Beaven, Lauren Bartlett, Sophie Reed, Carey Wellby, Stephanie Papp, Jordan Crook, Anna Ledger, Emma Hellier, Fran Strong, Mica Evans, Rachel Betts, Sian Rees.

This was a great end to the season for Saracens with both sides making it to the finals. It is also the end of three years of hard work by the players and coaches as both squads will break up now. Several of the u18's are now too old to play junior rugby and will move on to womens rugby and a large number of the u15's will move up and age group to u18's. Next season rebuilding of both sides will start, the new u18's will integrate with the remaining players from this years side and the club will hope to recruit new players into the u15's. It has been a great season for the club not only in terms of club results and development but we have had a good number of players from both age groups repersent the county and the region and five u18's played for England Colleges. Saracens have always placed a great deal of emphasis on trying to play skilful flowing rugby which is better suited to the girls game and also having fun and enjoying the sport. This ethos paid off as each team supported and cheered the other on as apart from the final they could watch each others game. The whole atmosphere in the Sarries camp was very relaxed with all players encouraging each other and every one getting involved and playing their part on the pitch. Anyone interested in playing for Saracens next season should contact coach Dave Turner on 01392 677425.

There will be a report of the days events on the website www.rfu.com in the womens rugby section. Pictures from the day will appear on the same website and can be found by looking on the "rugby matters" icon on the womens rugby section home page.