HARTLEPOOL ROVERS U18's FEMALES 12 - 15 DMP U18's FEMALES 'THE STINGRAYS'

By Imogen Murray
Vice-Captain
DMP U18’s ‘The Stingrays’.

On a cold, wet and windy Sunday afternoon, the DMP U18’s ‘Stingrays’, travelled from far and wide to play their second game of the new season against a very strong and well drilled Hartlepool Rovers U18’s team. Due to a U13’s festival taking place at the Rovers club, the game was played at the King George playing fields.

Following the team singing happy birthday to Sarah in the changing room whilst wearing birthday hats, the team made their way onto the pitch and prepared to face their strong and well-drilled opposition. Following the whistle, the team as per previous games for the first 10 minutes were slightly panicked and unstructured, however as the game continued, nerves calmed down and the team focused on the game ahead, producing some great displays of rugby. A strong period of play by DMP saw the ball being carried by Sarah (Scrum half) to the top right side of the pitch and a try was soon recorded, which not only raised the hopes of the team, but placed them in a positive mind set. Due to the weather producing difficult kicking conditions to secure the additional points, the kick drifted away from the posts.

Although being very wet, cold and with a slippery ball, the Stingrays, managed to keep the ball in hand for most of the plays, however, the conditions also meant that at times, both teams struggled to retain the ball especially for long periods, resulting in both forward packs meeting to discuss the handling quality of their respective backs.

Approximately 15 minutes into the game, a Rovers player was injured and the game suspended. Under supervision by trained medical professionals, the player was stretchered off the pitch where an anxious wait for the ambulance began. Confirmation has since been received from Rovers that the player is not seriously injured and is expected to return to rugby in a couple of weeks and we send her our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Following the injury stoppage, Rovers seemed to be spurred on by the loss of their player and took the game to the Stingrays, this produced some fabulous displays of rugby by both sides with some strong and powerful tackles and resulted in Rovers securing a well-deserved try, but failed to secure the additional points.

The second half started in similar circumstances as the first, with both teams making early handling errors, which following the requisite scrums, allowed both sets of backs to try and take advantage of the space it created. This saw the game being played end to end and with both teams deserving points, these soon came to the Stingrays, were Anastasia (No 8) was able to force her way across the line, making the score 5 – 10 to DMP, with the conversion missed. Rovers did not have to wait long to secure their own points and following a lot of work from their forwards and centres, their hard work paid off when they secured a try under the posts and following a successful conversion, saw Rovers take the lead 12 – 10, with the game entering the final 10 minutes.

With the clock ticking down, the Stingrays rallied together, fought back against a very strong and defiant Rovers side, and were rewarded when Mia, (Prop) was able to cross the line, making it 12 – 15 to DMP, with no additional points coming from the conversion. The last 5 minutes of the game produced no end of excitement for all coaches and spectators, as the ball was exchanged between the two teams in some outstanding physical contests and a break by either side would secure the win. It was at this point that DMP stepped up a gear demonstrating a very strong defensive line, which forced Rovers to be camped in their own 22m for the final few minutes. As the referee blew the whistle concluding the game, the Stingrays had secured the win against a tough, physical and determined Rovers side.

Due to Rovers having a few players call off before the game, a very special mention must go to both Eloise, who played for Rovers in the first half and to Faith for playing for them in the second half. Both players produced some amazing rugby in support of both teams, demonstrating not only their commitment and dedication to rugby but demonstrating what ‘TREDS’ is all about.

With this being the second game of the season, this was a another fantastic team performance by the ‘Stingrays’, in which foundations laid in their game in Sep 19 against Barnard Castle and now Rovers needs to be built on.

Thank you to Ron for assisting with the coaching and administration, Imogen who is currently injured for taking notes of the teams performance and for producing the report, everyone that braved the elements to support both teams and to Hartlepool Rovers RFC for providing a very enjoyable game and hosting the team in their club afterwards.