|
|
This week saw Leos take on top-of-the table Camp Hill, with Leos thus far unbeaten in 2010 this promised to be a good game. Although extremely windy, Leos knew spring had truely arrived, not because of the sun shining, but because Ruth Drury had decided to play tightless. Leos captain, Dominique Attwood, having won the toss and chosen to play with the wind, rallied her team with a quick pre-match huddle.
The first half saw Leos taking advantage of the wind: playing inside the Camp Hill half, at times only inches away from the line. Unfortunately, after a fantastic 10 minutes from recently returned 13 Kelly Rickard, she had to go off following an awkward tackle. Without a healthy bench Jane Lennox had to return from injury somewhat earlier than expected to fill in at fly half, creating a backrow-like centre.
Leos first chance came when loose head prop, Rachel "Crash" Barker took the ball on over the try line, but a well built Camp Hill managed to hold the ball up. Not disheartened Leos kept pushing only to get another ball held up, and an unlucky fumble meant that Rachel Barker could not create points from an excellent charge down. Now the tent well and truly up inside the Camp Hill 22, Leos just could not seem to convert pressure into points. The half time whistle blew and Leos knew they would have a lot to do with a gusty wind against them.
After a call from tight head prop Abi Whisker to "Open a can of whoop ass" Leos were all set to go for the second half. With the wind against them Leos had trouble creating the same pressure on Camp Hill as they did in the first half. Despite a fantastic tackle from winger Miranda Dunston, Camp Hill managed to creep over the line. This was shortly followed by a lucky interception from Camp Hill centre Kath Adie, making the score 10-0. Leos were not disheartened, and excellent run and interesting pass (to herself) by centre Ruth Labourne put Leos back into the Camp Hill half. Unfortunately this was not taken advantage of, and an overlap and efficient passing from the Camp Hill backs pushed them over the line for a 3rd time, and an excelent kick from Camp Hill captain Rebecca Lewis meant that Camp Hill were now 17-0 up.
Leos battled on and an excelent run by Ruth Labourne from her own 22, as well as converting her own try, finally gave Leos some of the points they deserved. However, Camp Hill managed to take advantage of the wind and a good run by Camp Hill full back Kath Hamilton, and some missed tackles by Leos saw Camp Hill over the line for the final time, leaving the final score at 22- 7 to Camp Hill. Despite the loss Leos put up an excellent fight against top-of-the-table side, and all should be proud of their performance.
Thanks (and bravery points) should go to Jane Lennox and Jennifer Pollington for playing stormingly on injuries, Catherine MacIntosh for stepping into the centres and making it look like she'd played there all her life as well as super subs Lotte Sills, and Katie for not only playing a seconds game but coming back for more!
|
