| RHC freeze out Murrayfield Wanderers in a frosty encounter |
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| Monday, 22 December 2008 | |
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With the match being subject to a decision by the referee, there were a number of disappointed ..no!.. surprised faces when it was decided the ground would consistently take a stud across the pitch.
RHC kicked off ice skating towards the houses in the first half, an early mistake from Wandies gave the Cougars an attacking scrum deep inside the opposition half. Kirsty Walker (who proved to be an icicle in the side of Wandies all game) won a free kick at the scrum, quick thinking by Daggy resulted in the ball being fed quickly to Tanya who scorched in to the right of the posts, leaving three Wandies defenders red faced (not even due to the cold). The conversion was missed bringing to score to RHC 5- 0 Wandies. Play continued to move back and fourth with the referee proving to be a match for even some of Scotland's gobbiest players. A great attack from the away team saw Claire Cruikshank rolling back the years with a delicate grubber into the RHC in goal area. From my viewing it looked to have been scored by Wandies, but the referee (unsighted) gave RHC a 22drop out, much to the chagrin of Ellen. A moment of madness then resulted in Wandies 10 Gilly dismissed from the pitch by the referee - by way of a friendly push due to a lack of yellow card. RHC continued to show attacking enterprise through the robust Maz and Mags double act. (We would like to welcome Maz, after everyone else transferred from Accies many years ago, Mags has finally followed directions and made it to RHC). Their endeavours were rewarded when 10 minutes later; a sustained attack saw Calfzilla dive over from 20 metres. The kick missed bringing to score to 10-0. With the cold beginning to set in, both sets of teams struggled to find the consistency that has brought them to the top of the league. Beth Dickens continued to cause RHC problems, carrying through the heart of the team. But robust defence on the RHC try line just stopped the dick from scoring. Boosted by their ice cold defence, RHC continued to attack in the wide channels, with Ronnie and Cara both making dents into the disheartened Wandies defence. A missed tackle in the midfield left Ronnie in clear space, drawing the fullback before releasing Cara who showed great pace, ripping in under the posts. The conversion by Farmer was a success taking to score to 17-0 with half time fast approaching. All credit to Wandies as they returned fiercely into action, Laura Stevens worked hard in midfield but the RHC defence was committed an eventually won back good turnover ball in midfield through Gin Reid and the battling Sicky. RHC worked over a bonus point try shortly before half time, taking the score to 22-0 with the home side disappearing inside on the half time whistle. The second half started quickly with an unrecognisable team returning for Wandies, aggressive running and good enterprise resulted in Murrayfield winger Green running in for a cracking score from 20 metres. With the kick just missed the score now read 22-5 with everything to play for. In large due to increasing frosty conditions and general fatigue the second half didnt live up to expectations. However, RHC managed to retain good position, keeping Wandies pinned inside their own 22 for much of the half. The persistence eventually paid off, a great attacking move found Cara in space again, she raced in to the corner, dotting down to give RHC a 27-5 lead. Mercifully the referee had seen enough blowing for the full time whistle. Both teams can take great credit for braving the cold, RHC wait the return encounter with much anticipation. RHC women of the match: Mags McHardy |
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