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17th May '09
Denbigh U15’s Girls Tournament
Colwyn Bay U15’s Mermaids
combined with 3 Oswestry players and played 3 games at Denbigh’s
inaugural girls tournament with opponents being Nant Conwy, Denbigh
and a combination or Bro Ffestiniog and Nant. Captained by Paige
Davies, the first game played was against Nant Conwy. Mermaids
seemed to be unusually sluggish out of the blocks and some
disorganised defence allowed the Nant Conwy girls the early
advantage. Even this early effort failed to galvanise the team and
it was not until the second half that the Mermaids started to push
more into their oppositions’ half. Davies rallying call motivated
the Bay and a try was eventually scored yet the defensive potions of
the were left exposed which lead to 2 further tries from the Valley
girls. The Final score Colwyn Bay 5 Nant Conwy 15.
The second game was the stimulus
for the Bay to produce a more expansive game and the running rugby
for which they are noted. A vastly improved defence ensure that
their opponents, Denbigh, did not once breach the Bay try line.
Terrific forward play by Davies and Ellie Roberts saw one platform
after another being formed from which the backs were able to mount
their attacks. Davies was rewarded with her own try after Amy Bird
took advantage of a quick penalty that saw the inimitable Davies
bulldoze her way over the line. Rachael Edwards had her kicking
boots on and slotted the conversion with out any due concern.
Further inroads into the Denbigh half were also made by Megan
Speakman but the combination of Bird and Emily McMullen in the backs
saw tries being scored almost at will. This is not to take anything
away from the spirited opposition as not once did they let their
heads drop. Final Score Mermaids 52 Denbigh 0.
The third and final game was
against a combination team of Bro and Nant, with Nant lending two of
their experienced backs and to good effect. Bouyed by their previous
game against Denbigh the game began as a tight affair with the Bay
doing most of the defensive work. The work rate in the tackle area
was exceptional and each player stepped up to the mark. However the
jinxing run from the Nant backs was just too much for the Bay to
overcome and two tries in quick succession were scored with both
being subsequently converted. However Bro/Nant were not to have to
have it all their own way as going linking between the Bay backs saw
a terrific solo try by McMullen which was conceived in her own half
of the pitch. Fran Seager was also in determined mood with passion
in her tackling with a series of defensive manoeuvres that thwarted
the Bro/Nant players. She also deservedly scored her debut try.
However it was the Nant backs again that struck the final blows as
tired legs allowed two further tries being conceded. Final score
Colwyn Bay 10 Bro/Nant 24.
The overall outcome as it was
based on points scored meant that the pecking order was Denbigh in 4th
place, Bro/Nant in 3rd place, Colwyn Bay 2nd
place and Nant Conwy in 1st place.
3rd May '09
Abergavenny U15’s Girls Tournament
The U15’s Mermaids used this
tournament as the centre piece for their annual tour. 4 games were
played in total and the weather in each case was extremely kind to
them. The first game saw the Bay pitted against the experienced side
of Newport. Bay were fielding a younger side than normal with the
more experienced players being left on the side line to act as
impact players. Newport used their weight to their advantage and
bullied their way around the park with a well worked try being
scored after the Bay had invited them in with gaps in the defensive
line. A second try was also given which was more reminiscent of a
spiked touchdown in a game of American football yet the referee
allowed the score. However due to 2 injuries Gwen Harries and Kaya
Harding were let loose upon the South Walians and to devastating
effect. They acted as the catalyst to the Mermaids that saw angle
being created and darting runs penetrating the Newport defence.
Harries scored after some good handling from backs and with a second
try by Harding brought the scores level. But yet again the referee
allowed an ungrounded try to be counted for the Newport team, much
to the chagrin of the coaching staff and with the final whistle
being blown condemned the Bay to a defeat. Final score Newport 15
Colwyn Bay 10
The second game played was
against Crymach. Whether the effect of the close defeat to Newport
played into the minds of the Mermaids was uncertain but there was a
different air to their second game and heads just failed to switch
on. Uncharacteristic indiscipline shaped the Bay’s performance or
rather lack of it as Crymach punished the Mermaids with 4 unanswered
tries. It was a comprehensive win and from a rugby perspective acted
as a lesson that the Bay needed to learn. Final score Crymach 20
Colwyn Bay 0.
The third game was against the
hosts, Abergavenny. The game started out as a very even affair and
fears that the Bay were heading for a third defeat started appearing
as Abergavenny scored a well worked first try. However on this
occasion the Mermaids dug in and produced a tackle fest that they
should have applied in their previous game. With determination and
courage the Mermaids fought their way through their opponents
defence and gained a well deserved equalising try through the
efforts of Emily McMullen and Elinor Isaacs but this was not to be
the end of the game. Harries once again showed great spirit and
flight of foot ably supported by Bird and scored the winning try as
the Aber girls were left standing still as they tore through
defence. Final score Abergavenny 5 Colwyn Bay 10.
The last game saw the Mermaids
up against probably the strongest team they have ever played and
that was to be a game too far for them. Carmarthen were well
organised both in open play and also at the breakdown. Aided by some
very fast wingers the Mermaids at this time of the day had nothing
to offer in response. With one exception. Sophia Hathaway broke
through the Carmarthen defence and the sight of this Amazonian
having dared to breach her markers obviously had upset them. How
dare she go for broke, in a solo effort she looked as though she was
about to score when from nowhere one of the defenders latched onto
her with only a matter of meters at her mercy. She was unfortunately
thwarted and the game resumed the normalcy of Carmarthen creaming
the Colwyn Bay defence. Credit to the Bay in that they kept their
heads up and still gave it all they had. Final score Colwyn Bay 0
Carmarthen lots. Mermaid of the tour was awarded to Elinor Isaacs.
29th March '09
Macclesfield
U15’s 7 A Side Tournament
The Colwyn Bay Mermaids fielded 2
teams for this tournament that saw 8 teams competing for the
honours. The purpose of the two teams was to see the potential for
the next season as a raft of players will be leaving to go onto the
U18’s team. Teams that played were Manchester, Liverpool St Helens,
Macclesfield, Waterloo, Glossop and Bolton plus the two Bay teams.
The mermaids played
extremely well and played well as a team. The mermaids used there
pace and power to break the line with great tries from Ellie Evans,
Gwen Harries and Sophia Hathaway. The more experienced Bay team won
2 games and drew one game that gave them overall 2nd
place in their table and thus a place for the 3rd and 4th
playoff against Manchester. The first half was tight with some
excellent mauling and rucking from the forwards then Kaya Harding
scored near the left hand post with Rachel Edwards scoring the
conversion. Second half saw Manchester come back but could break
though with excellent tackling from Gwen Harries. In the dying
minutes Manchester scored a try but missed the conversion leaving a
final score 7-5 to the Mermaids and grabbing the 3rd
place accolade. Special l mentions for Sophia Hathaway for stealing
the line out ball and Naomi with some great runs and Rachel Edwards
with some excellent kicks at goal.
The lesser
experienced team came 6th overall with great displays
from Elinor Isaacs, Megan Speakman and Sophie Jones. The 5th
and 6th play off was against the hosts Macclesfield that
was a very close affair. Emily McMullen and Amy Bird combined well
and great commitment was given by Ellie Roberts. However the
Macclesfield team just had the edge with a last gasp try which lead
to them winning 2 tries to one.
29th March '09
Bro Ffestiniog U15’s 0 Colwyn Bay U15’s Mermaids 95
Expecting wind and rain in the
Valleys of Ffestiniog it came as a massive surprise to feel the
warmth of the sun on the backs of the visiting team. Clear skies and
barely a breath of wind, surely the Bay could not have descended
into Ffestiniog, maybe a wrong turn had been taken at Betws-y-Coed!
Yet these were the conditions that the U15’s Mermaids had to face.
Blaenau’s well appointed club house and pitches along with the
coaching staff and players provided a warm welcome to the Colwyn Bay
Mermaids for what was to be Bro’s first competitive game. Ffestiniog
had amassed a crowd of onlookers to provide the team their boost in
support however what was to commence was a lesson in rugby. The
Mermaids from the kick off took the game to Bro and within seconds
the first try had been scored. The problem was a lack of commitment
in the tackle and it looked as though the hosts were caught in the
headlights of a vast juggernaut that did not wish to stop. Tries
were haemorrhaged by the hosts and even when the half time whistle
had been blown the Bay were 50 points clear.
Coaching staff conferred and it
was agreed that the hosts wished to carry on. With this it was
agreed Bro played with 15 players and the Bay continued with 10. The
kick off underway the familiar pattern of the Bay weaving and
scoring tries commenced once again despite the uneven numbers. With
10 minutes played in the second half a further coaching decision was
made to try to even matters out with the backs instructed to play as
forwards and v.v. Once again the kick off got the game underway and
once again the Mermaids demonstrated their superiority with every
player scoring a try, bar one. Tackling was the key area in that
there was a clear lack of it and it was this that was the host
undoing. Mermaid of the match was Jess Oliver but outstanding
contributions to the game were made from Ellie Evans, Becca Broadway
and Ellie Roberts for a combination of tackling and rugby handling
skills combined with support off the ball.
23rd November '08
Macclesfield U15 – 5 Colwyn Bay Mermaids U15 – 44
There
were some big splashes going on down in Macclesfield this weekend
and this was not all down to the inclement weather. At short notice
the Mermaids were invited to play a mixed team from Macclesfield and
Glossop which gave an opportunity for some of the younger and less
experienced players to be bloodied in. In the windy conditions the
passing was going to have to be tight and accurate and in fairness
to both teams there were very little handling errors which was a
complete turnaround from the previous weekend. The first try was a
well worked affair with the forwards rucking over and creating good
backs ball that enabled Rachael Edwards, ably supported by Lizzy
Gostage to breach the Cheshire teams’ try line. Debutant Naomi
Turner excelled in her new role on the wing but despite showing true
commitment in the tackle and when carrying the ball, suffered a
dislocated shoulder and had to be replaced early on in the game. A
second try was scored by captain Harries but some loose tackling
from the Mermaids allowed the Macclesfield backs to penetrate the
defence to score their sole try of the afternoon. The Mermaids
tightened up their defence and despite some strong running from the
hosts produced counter attacks that saw tries from Harding and Bird
which took the score to 5 – 22 by the half time. Good working rates
from forwards Jess Oliver and Paige Davies enabled the backs to
maintain the momentum in the second half with a further brace of
tries from Edwards and a solo effort from the determined Harries.
The Gostage sisters combined well with Lizzy earning her first score
for the Bay, streaking down the far side wing and out sprinting the
Macclesfield defence. This was an all round effort from the Bay and
the score line did not reflect the efforts that their hosts put in
but because of the manner in which they played as a team, showing
determination and commitment in securing the ball and in the
tackling area, the whole team were deemed to be Mermaids of the
match. Good work girls!
16th November '08
U15 Ysgol Botwrnog 17 U15 Colwyn Bay Mermaids 10
Deprived of fielding a full team due to a failure from the hosts to
field sufficient numbers in their team, the Mermaids were restricted
with their tactics in their back division. Despite the initial
numbers problem this was always going to be a hard fought game with
the tone of the game set in the opening gambit as Mermaids tackling
was put to the ultimate test. Notably Mermaid of the match Ellie
Roberts put in some crunching tackles, unafraid of seeking out her
opposition. This spurred on other teammates to exact the same
commitment notably from Gwen Harries who continually blitzed her
opposite number and Jess Oliver and Emily McMullen showing equal
dedication. The work rate from both packs was commendable with each
showing determination resulting in some great rugby through the main
channels on the pitch. First blood went to the Bay as a determined
Kaya Harding danced through the Ysgol Botwrnog defence and despite three
attempted tacklers clinging onto her she managed to grab a try.
Ysgol Botwrnog were not allowing the Bay to romp away and checked them
with a try of their own. Neither tries were converted so the half
time remained even. The second half was more of the same with
determined play from both sides. Due to the lack of width it was a
somewhat frustrating game at times as the extra lady on the wings
would have made for a more expansive game. Bay took the lead once
again with Amy Bird driving over after an excellent platform from
the forwards but yet again Ysgol Botwrnog retaliated with an unconverted try
of the own. The match was decided in the final minute as Ysgol
Botwrnog drove
throve the middle of the pack and two missed tackles lead to a try
between the posts which was duly converted. The Mermaids should be
very proud of their commitment and despite the score the coaching
staff and crowd were entertained with a truly committed show of
rugby.
14th September '08
Colwyn Bay U15 Mermaids make their mark in South
Wales Tournament
Llandovery played host to the ladies National 10’s tournament with
teams from Cardiff Quinns, Neath, Newport, Cardigan/Furness and a
sole representation from North Wales, Colwyn Bay Mermaids. Age
categories were senior womens, which included some Welsh
International players, U18’s and U15’s.
The
U15’s Mermaids went up against Cardigan/Furness in the first game
which saw the gauntlet been thrown down as a brace of tries were run
in from both Kaya Harding and Gwen Harries. This was a hard fought
game and it took a little time for the cobwebs to be blown away from
the marathon trek to Llandovery, before the tone was set for the
remains of the day. Of particular note during this first game, other
than the gap busting forays from the 2 try scorers were the mammoth
performances from Jess Oliver and co forwards, Amelia Stubbs
(debut), Paige Davies and Emily McMullen. The final score in the
first game –10 Cardigan 24 Mermaids
.
In
the second game the Mermaids took on the All Blacks of Welsh Rugby –
Neath. This, as one expected, was a very physical game with plenty
of action not only within the forward department but also from the
backs. A baptism of fire was provided to debutants Elinor Isaac and
Megan Speakman in which some wonderful footwork and ball skills were
witnessed. The defending from the likes of Amy Bird and Gwen Harries
in some crunching try saving tackles were noted from some of our
South Walian cousins who are now having to reconsider their tactics
for the regional games that will swing into action prior to
Christmas. The final score –
0 Neath 27 Mermaids.
The
3rd game saw the U15 Mermaids play against tournament
favourites Cardiff Quinns. Quinns provided a tactfully superior side
but this was matched by the courage and determination from an
equally passionate Bay side. The Quinns preferred to play a kicking
game which played straight into the hands of the Bay, who simply ran
the ball back at them. Zienna Teece made her debut for the Mermaids
with determined running down the wing. The constant barrage of
tackles the Bay had to make started to take their toll in the second
half and after keeping the score line at a respectable 7 – 7 at the
end of the first half, a couple of well executed break-away tries
saw the Quinns finish as victors. Despite this, sterling work rates
from Corina Owen, Ellie Evans, Harding and Harries were applauded
but that is not to take anything away from the rest of the team.
This was truly a team effort. The final score -
31 Cardiff Quinns 7 Mermaids.
The
final game of the tournament had the Bay ladies up against another
well organised team – Newport. The combination of props Ellie
Roberts, Stubbs and Davies took the game to the opposition with
powerful drives and good rucking. Tiredness crept in from both teams
which resulted in the backs not being as effective as they had been
earlier in the tournament but the final result would show that this
Mermaid side only lost to one South Wales team. Good support work
from Rachael Edwards and determination from Sophia Hathaway ensured
that the Mermaids went home proud of the days results. The final
score – 10 Newport 10 Mermaids. This final result ensured a
well deserved overall second place for the U15’s Mermaids side The
rallying call that North Wales ladies rugby is up to the task of
going toe to toe with their South Wales counterparts has effectively
been made.
Following on from the tournament there were presentations given out
to celebrate some of the achievements of Welsh Women's rugby. The
U14’s Mermaids were presented with a trophy as an achievement of the
best North Wales side, in their age group for 2007/08 season. North
Wales Regional Captain, Amelia Stubbs was also congratulated as
being the North Wales player of the year within the same age group,
a tremendous achievement in her first season.
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