Eastern Counties Rugby Union

The Eastern Counties U18 girls,with players from Beccles, Diss, Ipswich, Newmarket, Sudbury and Woodbridge, headed to Old Reigatians on Sunday 14th November for the annual South East Festival. As a developing squad their aim was to be competitive against the more experienced Counties, and the girls didn't disappoint.

Their first match against Kent, a regular finalist, was competitive to the last with the new U18s, recently transitioned from the U15 squad, showing great tenacity to make the coach proud. Kent scored twice in the first half and only once in the dying seconds of the second. The second match against Hampshire was a feisty affair but the girls worked hard and the defeat did not reflect their technical superiority. In the final group match against Surrey a much deserved try looked on the cards when twice the girls went over the try line, only to be held up. Their playoff match was against Essex, a very physical team, but again the girls were able to match them. Although attacking for most of the game the girls couldn't convert this superiority and with the last play of the game Essex broke through our defence to score the winning try. Despite the losses it was clear how much the team has developed from previous years and, most importantly, the girls enjoyed the experience.

Particular mention has to go to the Eastern Counties wingers Lottie Kissick-Jones (Woodbridge) and Cecily White (Diss) for their try saving tackles, attack and support work, and forwards Sophia John (Diss) and Poppy Felgate (Ipsiwch) for their game management. Player of the tournament was the versatile Hannah Murphy (Newmarket) who played hooker, loosehead prop, flanker and No 8 and did so much of the unseen work at the breakdown and worked tirelessly for her team mates.