Sun 18 Sep 2022
Prior to Kick off at 2.30pm both teams lined up on the pitch and paid their respects to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with a minute’s silence.
There were some last minute changes to the starting line up which saw Zoe Dunn starting at 13.Today also saw the newest addition to the team, Cleo Turley, who make her debut with the Valkyries today in the second row.
Following kick off Launceston wasted no time in applying pressure to the Valkyries opening the scoring within the opening minute of the game. Shortly after the opening score by Launceston the Valkyries forwards got their first opportunity to demonstrate their strength with the first scrum of the match followed quickly by an additional scrum which, unfortunately, Launceston won. The Sidmouth defence kicked in to action with some good tackles being made by Esme Bagwell and Em Shayler however, the speed of play meant that Launceston made it to the try line.
Approximately ten minutes in to the first half Launceston broke through the defensive line again but were thwarted on this occasion by Em Shayler who regained possession for Sidmouth near the five metre line and cleared the ball in to touch. This resulted in Sidmouth facing a strong Launceston maul which Sidmouth defended well with the all going to ground forcing Launceston play the ball out wide which resulted in knock on by the opposition resulting in a scrum with Sidmouth having the put in. The forwards showed their strength and determination to retain possession and were awarded a further penalty which Caitlin Perry kicked into touch. Launceston hit back following the scrum by winning the lineout however this as quickly followed by a further knock on.
Following the knock on there was a good carry by Zoe Dunn and, although we were a little static in attack Amber Harris gained Sidmouth some territory with her persistence when in possession of the ball. This won Sidmouth a further penalty who opted to take it quickly. The ball worked its way quickly through the hands until it was passed to Lilyan Cecilia who made an amazing break through Launcestons defence. Unfortunately she was just pushed in to touch but had made a significant territorial gain. In total Liliyan Cecilia made three breaks but was pushed in to touch each time.
As the first half progressed and the Valkyries nerves settled the players were able to demonstrate their skills and resilience. Following the initial flurry of trys by the home team the Sidmouth defence held them at bay for a period of time in their own half and kept knocking at the door before Launceston won a lineout and broke through the defence to add to their total.
We regained possession at the scrum following the kick off, Amy Nairne-Clarke opted to pickup from the back of the scrum and gain some yards, followed by a pick and go from Zoe Dunn before offloading to Esme Bagwell who did well to pick the ball up from her boot straps but Launceston turned the ball over.
Sidmouth once again, had the put in at the scrum following a knock on and held themselves well. The first half closed with a penalty against Launceston for entering a ruck illegally which Caitlin Perry kicked in to touch. Sidmouth retained possession at the resulting line out and made a good effort to reach the line before the half time whistle blew to no avail.
Sidmouth kicked off the second half and won a penalty. Cailtin Perry kicked the ball in to touch applying pressure to Launceston Ladies defence. Launceston did regain possession but the Valkyries continued to apply pressure causing Launceston to kick the ball in to touch not far from their try line which meant the Valkyries had a line out close to the try line. Launceston managed to win the lineout but gave away a penalty by playing the ball on the ground. As a result of that penalty the Valkyries were able to get the ball to Jess Perry who carried the ball over the line and score the Valkyries only try in this match.
Launceston responded well but Sidmouth held them back and a resulting knock on and a further scrum. As the second half progressed the Valkyries defence showed what it was capable of with quick line speed and putting in some really good tackles on the opposition forcing Launceston to hold on to the ball and give away penalties. The Valkyries did well to maintain a quick pace within the game getting the ball in to space and making some decent line breaks.
The defensive effort from the team was phenomenal although the score line does not reflect how well the team performed. All in all, the Valkyries performed valiantly in the face of a more experienced opposition who currently play in a higher league. They persevered and never gave up despite the score line. It was clear to see that it was an experience that each player relished. It was the first opportunity that the Valkyrie forwards were able to use all of their skills, particularly during scrum time and show that they can hold their own and the backs were able to show what they were capable of as a result of the forwards today hard graft.
As a result of the pressure applied by the Valkyries, the opposition had to fight for each and every point they scored. It truly was a brilliant display of the Valkyries resilience who, despite facing an opposition who are far more experienced than them never gave up, never waivered and kept playing until the final whistle.
Now to our back of the match, forward of the match and player of the match. Each player performed really well on the pitch today whether that was demonstrating how to keep the ball in play close to the touch line or how to break through the line to gain territory. I’m informed it was a tough decision for the coaches to choose due to the quality of each player on that pitch today. Back of the match was awarded to Leila Stone , forward of the match was awarded to Sonia Welch and Player of the Match was awarded to Lilyan Cecilia.
The ladies are back on home soil this Sunday, against Helston RFC in their first league match. Please come and show your support, KO 2pm.
There were some last minute changes to the starting line up which saw Zoe Dunn starting at 13.Today also saw the newest addition to the team, Cleo Turley, who make her debut with the Valkyries today in the second row.
Following kick off Launceston wasted no time in applying pressure to the Valkyries opening the scoring within the opening minute of the game. Shortly after the opening score by Launceston the Valkyries forwards got their first opportunity to demonstrate their strength with the first scrum of the match followed quickly by an additional scrum which, unfortunately, Launceston won. The Sidmouth defence kicked in to action with some good tackles being made by Esme Bagwell and Em Shayler however, the speed of play meant that Launceston made it to the try line.
Approximately ten minutes in to the first half Launceston broke through the defensive line again but were thwarted on this occasion by Em Shayler who regained possession for Sidmouth near the five metre line and cleared the ball in to touch. This resulted in Sidmouth facing a strong Launceston maul which Sidmouth defended well with the all going to ground forcing Launceston play the ball out wide which resulted in knock on by the opposition resulting in a scrum with Sidmouth having the put in. The forwards showed their strength and determination to retain possession and were awarded a further penalty which Caitlin Perry kicked into touch. Launceston hit back following the scrum by winning the lineout however this as quickly followed by a further knock on.
Following the knock on there was a good carry by Zoe Dunn and, although we were a little static in attack Amber Harris gained Sidmouth some territory with her persistence when in possession of the ball. This won Sidmouth a further penalty who opted to take it quickly. The ball worked its way quickly through the hands until it was passed to Lilyan Cecilia who made an amazing break through Launcestons defence. Unfortunately she was just pushed in to touch but had made a significant territorial gain. In total Liliyan Cecilia made three breaks but was pushed in to touch each time.
As the first half progressed and the Valkyries nerves settled the players were able to demonstrate their skills and resilience. Following the initial flurry of trys by the home team the Sidmouth defence held them at bay for a period of time in their own half and kept knocking at the door before Launceston won a lineout and broke through the defence to add to their total.
We regained possession at the scrum following the kick off, Amy Nairne-Clarke opted to pickup from the back of the scrum and gain some yards, followed by a pick and go from Zoe Dunn before offloading to Esme Bagwell who did well to pick the ball up from her boot straps but Launceston turned the ball over.
Sidmouth once again, had the put in at the scrum following a knock on and held themselves well. The first half closed with a penalty against Launceston for entering a ruck illegally which Caitlin Perry kicked in to touch. Sidmouth retained possession at the resulting line out and made a good effort to reach the line before the half time whistle blew to no avail.
Sidmouth kicked off the second half and won a penalty. Cailtin Perry kicked the ball in to touch applying pressure to Launceston Ladies defence. Launceston did regain possession but the Valkyries continued to apply pressure causing Launceston to kick the ball in to touch not far from their try line which meant the Valkyries had a line out close to the try line. Launceston managed to win the lineout but gave away a penalty by playing the ball on the ground. As a result of that penalty the Valkyries were able to get the ball to Jess Perry who carried the ball over the line and score the Valkyries only try in this match.
Launceston responded well but Sidmouth held them back and a resulting knock on and a further scrum. As the second half progressed the Valkyries defence showed what it was capable of with quick line speed and putting in some really good tackles on the opposition forcing Launceston to hold on to the ball and give away penalties. The Valkyries did well to maintain a quick pace within the game getting the ball in to space and making some decent line breaks.
The defensive effort from the team was phenomenal although the score line does not reflect how well the team performed. All in all, the Valkyries performed valiantly in the face of a more experienced opposition who currently play in a higher league. They persevered and never gave up despite the score line. It was clear to see that it was an experience that each player relished. It was the first opportunity that the Valkyrie forwards were able to use all of their skills, particularly during scrum time and show that they can hold their own and the backs were able to show what they were capable of as a result of the forwards today hard graft.
As a result of the pressure applied by the Valkyries, the opposition had to fight for each and every point they scored. It truly was a brilliant display of the Valkyries resilience who, despite facing an opposition who are far more experienced than them never gave up, never waivered and kept playing until the final whistle.
Now to our back of the match, forward of the match and player of the match. Each player performed really well on the pitch today whether that was demonstrating how to keep the ball in play close to the touch line or how to break through the line to gain territory. I’m informed it was a tough decision for the coaches to choose due to the quality of each player on that pitch today. Back of the match was awarded to Leila Stone , forward of the match was awarded to Sonia Welch and Player of the Match was awarded to Lilyan Cecilia.
The ladies are back on home soil this Sunday, against Helston RFC in their first league match. Please come and show your support, KO 2pm.
