GIRLS MATCH REPORT 14th OCTOBER U18 Berkshire Cluster 75 Oxford Cluster 0

This was the first league match for us in the Thames Valley league. On this occasion, all the Berks girls were from Reading and the Oxford side were made up from Oxford and Chinnor players. It was a glorious Autumn day, fine for spectators but rather too hot for the players and even the hardly-used-this-year factor 50 sunblock was needed! In truth the girls needed some time to settle so that by 15 mins there was still no score. Shortly after, however, Reading went over for the first try and this seemed to steady the team. There followed 4 more converted tries in the first half as the Berkshire girls moved the ball around confidently. In the second half, Oxford camped on our line for a full 10 minutes and even succeeded in driving over three times but they were held up each time.

The team are coming together. The forwards were chasing to the breakdown, tackling hard and clearing out the rucks impressively. Quick ball out and straighter running lines by the backs with both forward and back support runners constantly tested the Oxford defence. The scoreline does not show how determined the Oxford girls were in defence because on several occasions they were able to save certain tries by excellent cover tackles.

Tries: Edwards 5, Hilbourne 4, Archer 1, Field 1, Conversions: Edwards 10

GIRLS MATCH REPORT 14TH OCTOBER U15 Berkshire Cluster 50 Oxford Cluster 15

This was the first game of the season for the Thames Valley cluster league. The Berkshire Cluster side comprised players from Newbury, Reading and Slough. This was the first game that the U15s had played thirteen a side and it took both teams some time to settle down.

The game was fast and fluid as both sides looked to find some shape to the game. It was eventually the Berkshire team that found their form with some strong driving play from the forwards releasing the backs to score in the corner.

The team then came together and combined good forward and back play to score more tries. It was not all plain sailing, Oxford’s robust defence gave them a number of counter attacking opportunities which enabled Oxford to score with strong support running and interplay. As the game progressed the Berkshire Cluster team grew in confidence and with a number of pick ups from the back of the scrum and strong back play overlaps were created. Throughout the game both sides defended well but it was the strength of the Berkshire Cluster team in possession that won the day

Tries: Guille 2, Holt 2, Moore 2, Darvell L 1, Darvell M 1, James 1, Morse 1.