Proud, surprised, elated, excited and energised all of the thoughts and emotions after two days of tough rugby 7s competition in London. Worthing set off on Thursday morning on a trip into the unknown on the Disco bus of destiny.
Worthing were in a pool with Farnbrough, Peter Symmonds and Amman Valley from Wales and the format determined that only the top team form each group would move forward to the quarter finals the following day. This coupled with the lack of experience in playing 7s was enough to predict a really tough days work and possible non return for the second days events but that was for later on.
Worthing kicked off at 11am v Farnbrough, laying down plenty of good tackles, scoring even more trys running out 59-0. This was an interesting start and made for plenty of confidence going into the second game v the Welsh visitors.
Valley came into the game having fought out a tough draw with Peter Symmonds and that pointed towards a very challenging encounter for Worthing. So to the start and Worthing were clearly up against a strong, organised, skilful and experienced side that had played lots of 7s rugby before. Worthing went down by two scores and were looking down the proverbial barrel of a big fat gun.
But excellent performances from the whole side created a last play score by Short converted by Leeming to snatch a well earned draw and set up the winner takes all game against Symmonds.
So pass out the ammunition and lets go to war. Worthing did not really look at the races and leaked points by the bucket load. Again the gun made an appearance and again a closer inspection of the said proverbial metallic object made for unhappy viewing. But a team with character doesn’t know when quit so Worthing played with heart, miles and miles of heart and struggled back to beat Symmonds. Excellent performances from everyone, a great team spirit and enthusiasm for what was to most a new sport helped Worthing to the show.
So day two Worthing had been drawn against a very strong Colstons side that was very impressive on day one of the competition and had cleared all before them with little trouble. So was it to be a 4 hour round trip for just 14mins of rugby? Well all in good time, but Cinderella was definitely going to the ball and she was looking pretty good and didn’t fancy turning into a pumpkin any time soon.
Quarter finals on a big Rosslyn Park pitch had a few of the girls nervous (excellent), some excited and but all ready to do their part. Kick off came and it was time to ‘Fix up and look Sharpe’ and that they did. Worthing went down to two trys in the first half fortunately only one was converted. So at half time a few worlds of encouragement from the coach and the girls went back out with a zesty tang chasing a place in the semi final. So the last 7mins of play in the competition or so one may have thought?
Worthing heaped pressure on to the opposition and scored the first try (12-5 Colstons) Leeming hit the post with the conversion but Worthing were on the score board. So ‘Big Mo’ was firmly with Worthing as the last minute of the game began. More and more pressure was pilled on and Worthing scored the equalling try and conversion. Full time whistle and with the score 12-12 and the Sue Barker question was on every ones mind “What happened next”. Well ‘Golden Point’ was the shout more effort, energy and enthusiasm needed to get one of these sides over the line and into the Semi final.
Worthing went directly onto the offensive taking advantage of a couple of indifferent officiating decisions, this leading to more pressure in the opposition’s 22m and great press defence put Worthing further onto the front foot and then the decision that turned it all. Penalty 15m out in front of the horns, Leeming asked if she could go for the shot and that she did, slotted between the posts and that was all she wrote. Worthing win 15-12 with a golden penalty kick.
That was the performance of competition by the girls and in reality was the final for Worthing. Hartpury the eventual winners of the competition were the semi final opponents and they were a match to far. The experienced rugby players winner through 45-0 Worthing not having the technical or tactical ability to live with the Gloucester side. So Cinderella did go to the ball and did eventually lose her lavish dress and slipper, but she is still a real beauty in my eyes.
Well done girls and thanks for all of your efforts across the two days.
Liz Leeming
Caitlin Kay
Alison Moore
Liz Anderson-Easy
Lizzie Northeast
Nikki Gatland
Amy Wilson-Hardy
Sophie Frost
Megan Priest
Megan Cave
Briony Short
Yasmin Eager
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