County Tournament

Good news for Worcestershire at the county tournament. A cold and breezy day at Old Leamingtonians and the news that Shropshire weren't able to field a team greeted us. We were to play two matches against old foes who we know well. Staffordshire was the first match and we got off to a slow start. The forwards had a rough time for the first half but some good handling got the ball out to Rose to kick off the scoring. A second score for Lydia made life a little more comfortable before Sophie W got her first of the day. With a conversion from Bean we had started well and a 17-0 result took us into the break between matches. Unfortunately we lost both Lizzie and Ale to injuries for the day.

Warwickshire and Staffordshire played the second match and it was a close run thing finishing 12-10. Worcestershire needed to beat Warwickshire to win the tournament. It was a tough start against a well-drilled Warwickshire side and we had to work hard to put Sophie in for her second of the day and her first of this match. After several more minutes some pressure in the Warwickshire 22 got Leanne her score which was converted by Bean. We then spent most of the remaining half pinned in our 22 metre area and some good defence was needed to hold out a strong Warwickshire pack. Half-time and we led 12-0.

It was a cold second half and both sets of players had given their all and tiredness was starting to set in. Sophie bagged her third of the day with a Bean conversion before Warwickshire worked a good move to score. 19-5 and into the final 5 minutes. Some good Worcestershire pressure told in the end and Ghostie went in at the corner to make the final score 24-5.

Worcestershire retain the Mark Edwards shield. Thanks to all the players for taking part and to Old Leams for arranging and running the tournament.

Steve