.

17th February '08

U14’s Bangor Ladies 5        U14’s Colwyn Bay Mermaids 35

The opening salvo in this well mannered game came from Rachel Edwards, playing out on the wing. Unfortunately the try was disallowed by the referee as he judged that the ball had not been grounded over the correct line This was slightly frustrating but from the scrum that ensued, the backs ran some straight lines and using one of their newly worked moves, culminated in a loop from Edwards who sealed the points that had been disallowed only moments earlier. The workrate of the forwards was impressive and gave a great platform from which Kaya Harding who was able to take advantage by going over for the second try despite being trailed by no less than 3 Bangor ladies on her shirt tails. By midway through the first half the Mermaids had scored another 2 tries from Gwen Harries and Ellie Evans which highlighted great interplay and well worked ball play by keeping the game alive with open passing. The second half saw a more determined Bangor team with some good continued ball possession. Taking advantage of loose tackling from the Mermaids and a more determined run saw the hosts score a well deserved try in the left hand corner of the pitch. This galvanised the Bay ladies. With excellent performances from Emily McMullen and a gritted teeth determination from Jess Oliver, the forwards camped out on the Bangor try line before Paige Davies bulldozed her way through the defensive line to grasp a further 5 points. Pace from the Bay’s backs further expanded the scoreline as Gwen Harries (Vice-Captain) and Amy Bird (Captain) each grabbed a try. The game was not as one sided as the score-line seemed to infer. With the forwards and backs combining so well and the “keeping the ball alive” mentality this was a true team performance.

Team: Paige Davies (1) Jess Oliver (2) Ellie Roberts (3) Rebecca Broadway (4) Emily McMullen (5) Alice Lloyd Williams (8) Kaya Harding (9) Amy Bird (c. 10) Rachel Edwards (11) Gwen Harries (v.c. 12) Ellie Evans (13) Corina Owen (14) – Subs: Elin Bysouth, Bethan Dawson, Olivia Fletcher  and  Kate Fletcher

U14’s Nant Conwy Ladies   5        U14’s Colwyn Bay Mermaids   20

This was always going to be a crunch game for both teams and the spectators were given a terrific spectacle as two of the strongest teams in North Wales U14’s ladies rugby took on each other in this cracking game. Nant fielded a well disciplined pack which was countered by equal ambition from the Bay and the first half looked as if it was going to go to the wire with each team maintaining clean sheets. The tackling, in particular from Emily McMullen, was extremely impressive with her stopping a barn storming run from one of the largest of the Nant forwards. This created the opportunity for the Bay forwards to gain a turnover ball that was fed quickly out to the backs and finally the Nant defensive line succumbed to the angles of the Bay running lines with Evans breaching the try line. But Nant replied from the restart with their forwards impressing upon their counterparts and a try was created by a lack of commitment on the tackle to result in a tie at the end of the first half. The second half saw the Mermaids break the Nant girls down further. Some high tackles were missed by the referee but the Bay struck back by not being drawn into this ugly appearance and demonstrated that pace and clean running lines made for a superior spectacle. Although the second try by captain Bird was well worked, it was from the engine room of the forwards where some aggressive mauling and pop ball, allowed for the stand off to gain the advantage for the Mermaids. Ellie Roberts, prop, was strong in the pack taking the ball to the opposition supported by a screaming Jess Oliver. Kaya Harding was industrious as ever at scrum half, allowing the ball to flow and a third try was created for the Bay as Harries broke through for her hatrick on the day. Kate Fletcher made a good start impressing herself upon the game, but the final flourish came from the Bay in more dominating fashion as Nant legs began to tire. Corina Owen put in a strong and decisive tackle leading to the ball being spilt. The Mermaids took advantage and the combining of forwards and backs saw Ellie Evans take the last honours, keenly supported by her team. Everyone took the mantle of Mermaid of the match as this was a total team display.

Team: Paige Davies (1) Jess Oliver (2) Ellie Roberts (3) Rebecca Broadway (4) Emily McMullen (5) Kaya Harding (9) Amy Bird (c. 10) Rachel Edwards (11) Gwen Harries (v.c. 12) Ellie Evans (13) – Subs: Kate Fletcher, Alice Lloyd Williams, Corina Owen

27th January '08

Bangor U14’s 12        Colwyn Bay U14 Mermaids 29

A warm welcome was once again received from the Bangor ladies at this friendly fixture. Bangor won the toss and elected to kick to the visitors. The Mermaids caught cleanly and ran the ball back at their hosts and it was not long before the light hands and fast passing had Bangor under pressure. Some loose tackling also contributed to the Bay being able to squeeze through some larger gaps enabling Gwen Harries to draw first blood with a try under the posts. The successful conversion was scored by Ellie Evans. From the restart Colwyn Bay once again took the ball back to Bangor but this time the hosts offered more opposition. Jess Oliver showed good aggression spinning out of half tackles and the support play was on hand to alleviate the situation. With a jinxing run Ellie Evans started upon one of her trade mark runs which resulted in a second try. The third try came from some excellent support play from Rachel Edwards on the wing. The second half was a different matter. Bangor put up a fight and it was a quickly taken penalty that saw them breach the Bay line for the first time this season. Excellent tackling from Emily McMullen and darting runs from Kaya Harding were not enough to stop a second Bangor converted try, but it was the Mermaids that rounded off the day with captain Hathaway and vice captain Bird inspiring a third Ellie Evans try. Mermaids of the match were Kaya Harding and Amy Bird.

18th November '07

Colwyn Bay U14’s Mermaids Festival 

Colwyn Bay were blessed with good weather once again as they played host to travelling teams from Oswestry, Bangor and Nant Conwy. In total 5 games were played and commendation must be given to each of the teams that played.

The first game saw Colwyn Bay (1) take on a much improved Bangor/Oswestry team. The game was typified by an open running game of rugby with ongoing support for the ball carrier. Missing two of their key players the Mermaids were soon on the score board with a darting run from Kaya Harding, picking the ball up from the base of the scrum, breaking through 2 tackles and grounding the ball in the far corner. Tries quickly followed from captain Sophia Hathaway and two more from the irrepressible Harding. Bangor were buoyed with a reply try of their own with a great passage of play with the ball being passed down the line to their winger who broke through some loose Bay tackles. The second half saw the Bay defend their lines well. The team started to gell well with the ball being strung out to an impressive new winger in the Bay team, Rachel Edwards. This is a young lady to watch for the future. The attacking style and strength of running from her helped the Mermaids build a strong platform for the remainder of the game and 3 more tries were run in, without reply from Bangor, one of which was a maiden try for centre Corina Owen. Final score Colwyn Bay 35 Bangor/Oswestry 5. 

The second game was a more challenging game. The lesser experienced teams of Colwyn Bay and Nant Conwy locked horns in what proved to be a tense first half. Rebecca Davies, in only her second game as scrum half, supplied good ball for her backs to feast upon. Unfortunately the stronger Nant forwards started to get in the mix and began disrupting the fluid ball play and took a try lead into the half time.  The Bay ‘maids came out strong at the restart, running from the kick off at the Nant girls and the concerted pressure lead to a level scoring from Kate Fletcher. Nant, under pressure once again from the well organised Bay girls decided to make some changes which turned the game around. Despite a brave defence it became obvious that the strength of the new Nant players was too much for this young Bay team with the final score Mermaids 5 Nant Conwy 20.

The true test of the day really came down to the third match where Colwyn Bay (1) came up against their old adversaries, Nant Conwy (1). With both teams refreshed from a small break and the Mermaids being able to finally utilise Gwen Harries and Ellie Ev’s, this game was to prove the yard stick as to how far each team had come since their first encounter from earlier in the season when the Bay ladies won. It would appear that history was about to repeat itself, yet this was not going to be a stroll in the park for either team. Colwyn Bay were able to expose a huge gaping gap in the Nant defence from a home team scrum deep in the Nant half. Harding took complete advantage of this faux pas and practically ran in unopposed. Rachel Edwards was once again in form on the wing. Nant decided to kick the ball from their 22 on a number of occasions but each time Edwards merely picked the ball up and ran it straight back at them. Nant were no better off territorially and the Mermaids capitalised on the momentum the Edwards had gained. With support from her forwards Edwards was able to off load the ball on one such occasion, close to the Nant line and once again the rampant Harding took advantage of the field position to go over to score her second try. Nant had plenty of fuel in their tanks and pretty much took the game back to their hosts from the restart. Some slick play and well timed delaying tactics when tackled allowed the Nant ladies to grab a try back. Gwen Harries produced a weaving run once the Mermaids had secured the ball from the kick off. Several mauls later and the production of some good interplay from the forwards somehow allowed Amy Bird to feed Harries to finish the movement off with another Bay try. The second half was as equally as testing as the first. From a line out, 5metres away from the Nant goal line, Sophia Hathaway combined well with Emily McMullen. The drive forward produced a text book try with McMullen looking stunned to have seen how easy it was to pierce the Nant try line for her own maiden try. Nant once again came back to the Mermaids but some fierce tackling from the team and some wonderful running 2^nd row Becka Broadway thwarted their attacks. The final score U14 Mermaids 25 Nant Conwy 15.

Bangor took on a lesser experienced Nant Conwy in the 4^th game. Some great running from the Bangor girls was not quite enough to keep the Valley girls from chalking up a 2^nd win of the day. Final score Bangor 20 Nant Conwy 35.

The final game came down to Colwyn Bay (2) and Bangor. A special mention must go to Bethan Dawson who not for the first time this year agreed to play for Bangor. Her true sportswomanship has been recognised by the coaching staff. This game produced some fantastic ladies rugby and from a spectators point of view, it was a joy to watch. Of note was the amazing tackling from Fletcher twins Kate and Olivia not to mention Rachel Edwards committing to the tackle and coming out on top. Both teams were commended on how they appear to have evolved. Harding once again was resplendent taking her tally of tries up a further 3 notches on the day. But one of the runs of the day has to go to Annie Gostage, the youngest lady on the pitch. Using her height to her advantage she was able to skip through 3 attempted tackles, searching deep in to the opponents half and as she went to ground the ball for a great individual try, the referee judged the ball to have not been grounded properly. The tight fought contest ended Colwyn Bay 30 Bangor/Oswestry 25. Mermaid of the festival went to Kaya Harding. Captain for Colwyn Bay (2) was Paige Davies who kept her team constantly on the bubble whilst Colwyn Bay (1) was captained by Sophia Hathaway in her usual enigmatic style.

4th November '07

With the theme of the day being “new,” the U14 Mermaids hailed in a new era with the adoption of a new captain, Sophia Hathaway and a new vice captain in Amy Bird. Having had a training session with Bangor the previous week, this match was always going to be a case of seeing how well both teams would cope with putting their practices into a live game situation. Bangor were initially strengthened with 2 of the Mermaids to ensure that the numbers were evenly matched. The tone of the match was set with the domination of the Bay ladies in possession.

After some initial stubborn defending from the Bangor team the tries starting to emerge as Gwen Harries, ably supplied with the ball from Bird drew the first of a hatrick of well worked tries. The strength of her running and well angled runs cut through the Bangor defence with too much ease at times. What was equally as pleasing from a spectator perspective was the distribution of the ball and the level of support each and every member of the Mermaids team provided. With the forwards combining well and with dominating performances from Hathaway and rookie hooker Corina Owens, whose grappling of the ball would have been enough to make any boys of a similar age, eyes water, one solid platform after another was set up. As a result of the way the forwards settled into their game, both wingers, Ellie Evans and Rachel Edwards got to see plenty of ball as it was strung out to them along the back line with fervour. With the absence of kicking in open play that has detracted from much of the senior game, this game was allowed to flow and the flood gates started to open. Ellie Evs’ continually exciting pace gave a performance that was dominant resulting in 6 tries of her own by the end of the match. However with 2 conversions being despatched with by hooker Owens, it felt that nothing could go wrong until an injury struck new Mermaid, Paige Lloyd-Jones, who had been playing for the Bangor girls in her maiden game. Bethan Dawson came on to replace her and made an immediate impact for the Bangor girls with some hip swinging sidesteps that looks to become part of her signature.

The tackling from second rows Alice Lloyd Williams, who also scored a well worked try, and Emily McMullen sniping around the edges of the pack, ensured that the brave Bangor side did not cross into the Bay’s half for extended periods of play. The biggest threat of a try from the hosts came in the second half from a darting run from their wing who prized open a gap in the bay defence with some fancy footwork.  The try saving diving tackle came from Bird and the ball was rescued by the commando roll of Liz Gostage. With the ball secured a further try was run in by the vice captain which was subsequently converted.

The final try had to come from captain Hathaway. Receiving the ball from the kick off and using the rapid increase in her momentum, she ran from her own 22, barging through at least 3 loose tackles and using a well positioned shoulder, she left the Bangor defence in her wake. Ellie Roberts supported her well but she was not needed as her captain grounded the ball for her try. A special mention must also go to new girls Olivia and Kate Fletcher, Catrin Eynon and Annie Gostage for their sports(wo)manship for playing for the Bangor team. Playing in unfamiliar roles but still getting stuck in, really shows the new spirit that is starting to burn brighter in this young ladies team. The U14’s next game will be in a fortnight when they will be hosting a tournament with teams coming from Nant Conwy, Bangor, Oswestry and possibly Pwllheli.

14th October '07

Colwyn Bay U14 Mermaids (Exp)    15            Nant Conwy U14 (Exp)    10

Colwyn Bay hosted another fest of young ladies rugby with teams travelling from Bangor, Nant Conwy and as far away as Oswestry. The turn out from both the hosts and Nant was very impressive with each able to field 2 teams. This gave a great opportunity to allow those with less experience the chance to take their first foray onto the rugby pitches. Bangor and Oswestry combined forces to produce the OsBangs and in doing so created further competition for all to enjoy.

The first match reignited the local derby mentality with the experienced teams from the Bay and Nant locking horns. With some players playing in new positions it was going to be an interesting competition with the key aim from the Mermaids being distribution and support. However it was not going to be all one way traffic as Nant turned the screws on many occasions and as expected. Tries scored from Mermaid of the match Amy Bird and Gwen Harries allowed the Bay to settle some early nerves. The pack combined well to provide a good platform for the backs to produce the goods. Nant however countered with some determined play with two well worked tries and the match was left in the balance until Kaya Harding went over for the defining effort of the game. Of special mention was Amy Bird for her crunching tackles, Captain Jess Oliver for her leadership skills and an excellent debut for Rachel Edwards for her aggressive straight line running with great supporting play from Gwen Harries.

Colwyn Bay U14 Mermaids (New)  10            Nant Conwy U14 (New)  15

This was always going to be an exciting experiment for both teams to play. Although the lack of experience showed at times throughout the match, the courage and endeavour that was displayed made up for this in bucket loads. An initial handling error from the young Mermaids, receiving from the Nant Conwy kick off, lead to some well drilled pressure from the Valley girls that culminated in a strong run, breaking through some loose Bay tackles. However this seemed to stimulate the new Bay girls into action. Alice Lloyd-Davies showed some terrific forward running, dipping her shoulder and taking on the opposition. With a rampant Gwenllian Huws back in the fold to give the Mermaid forwards some balance, that she scored the equalising try with a great run down the right flank, supported well by Catrin Eynon. The second half saw some further new faces joining the field of play namely, Bethan Dawson and Elin Bysouth. Both girls provided the support play and running skills asked of their coach. The Bay showed some great spirit with another strong run this time from Kate Fletcher with what looked like a certain try. However it was in her excitement in getting into the try area that she misjudged the position of the try line favouring the dead-ball line instead. Her frustration was evident. Nant seized the opportunity with the use of the boot from the 22 and some unlucky bounces from the ball were able to gather and produce the winning try. A great first game from both teams – well done! Mermaid of the match was presented to Alice Lloyd-Davies.

Colwyn Bay U14 (New) 5            OsBang (New)            20

The final game for the new girls was probably a match too far with the Bay going straight into the second game after just finishing with Nant. First blood went to the Mermaids with good interlinking play from Captain Rebecca Davies and Elizabeth Gostage with Gwenllian Huws finishing the move with a well taken running line. However the OsBangs with fresher legs started to dominate play with two tries in quick succession quietening the Mermaids to a murmur. However still undeterred the Bay ladies went back at their opponents. With the growing confidence of Rebecca Davies and the ongoing presence of Alice Lloyd-Davies the Osbangs were given a run for their money. Two further tries were well taken by the visitors but credit must be given for the spirit in which the game was played by both parties. This young band of Bay buccaneers have thrown down the gauntlet and this growing squad is going to provide some problems for the selectors in the near future!

.

---

16th September '07

Although the sun had disappeared behind some ominous clouds at Bangor, the form that the U14’s Mermaids had discovered from last season had not suffered the same fate. A commanding performance from Kaya Harding acting as captain, inspired her team to a well deserved win over a composite team from Bala and Nant Conwy. A combination of forwards mauling and good hands amongst the backs lead to an opening score from Gwen Harries. Bala responded with an equally well worked try moving the ball to their winger who bulldozed her way through some bigger than normal gaps in the Mermaids defence. This seemed to galvanise the Bay and using a similar move to that of the first try, Harries was rampant in bursting through the Bala lines with excellent support play from Amy Bird and Rebecca Davies on her flanks, should she have needed to use them. Special mention must also go to the forwards, Ellie Roberts, Paige Davies and Jess Oliver who made up the front row with support being provided by Emily McMullen and Becca Broadway at 2^nd row. It was in some cases the first time they had played in these positions. The grappling and wrenching within the mauls provided the right platform for the backs to allow the Mermaids to go in at the first half with a further Harries try. And so cometh the 2^nd half. A second try from Bala seemed to have caught the Bay ladies napping but in response some simple but effect passing from a combination of McMullen, scrum half Harding, stand off Harries and finally onto centre, Bird, produced a brutal, battling try to extend the Bays’ lead. The one area that Bala/Nant Conwy exposed some Mermaid frailty was in the rucks where the Bay ladies appeared to watch the passage of play rather than getting involved. The try of the match came from another well worked piece of play from the forwards maul play but it was the manner in which the ball was distributed via Mermaid of the Match, Harries that saw the fleet of hands that enabled Ellie Evans to run in with her maiden try of the season. Final score 25 – 10 to the marauding Mermaids.

---