GIRLS MATCH REPORT 23 SEPTEMBER U18 Reading 0 Welwyn 46

Reading took on Welwyn for the first game of the season in a friendly designed to prepare the team before the upcoming league games. Reading has joined the Thames Valley league again after finishing winners last year at U17. This year, with the age band now changed to U18, Reading are looking to defend that title.

The game started even enough with Welwyn scoring only two unconverted tries in the first 25 minutes then an unlucky interception (from our point of view) made it 15-0 at half time but the game looking far from over. Sadly things unravelled in the second half with Field having to come off due to concussion after a heroic cover tackle and the lack of summer exercise began to take its toll. The team came off knowing that they could play better but fair play to Welwyn who played as a very effective team and as you can see from the final score were eventually clear winners. The return match later in the season will be interesting. This is a benchmark for us because Welwyn are probably in the top 5 teams in the South.

GIRLS MATCH REPORT 23 SEPTEMBER U15 Berkshire Cluster 21 Welwyn 45

Our U15 squad is made up of players from Newbury, Slough and Reading as a true “cluster” club. Last year we had quite a few beginners who are back this year and couldn’t wait to get started! This was a game of two halves with the girls up at half time 21-15. They eventually lost 21-45 after Welwyn completely switched tactics and began to move the ball wider to their fast wingers. A fine game and one that the girls will have taken lots from for their upcoming games.

Tries: Kerins 2, Holt 1 Conversions: Morse 3