Royal performance as “Princess” turns on the style

For the second part of the weekend double header Sils were faced with the bare 11, 7 of the regular first team squad from the previous day 3 from the L2’s and one from the L3’s making her debut for the first team and the lack of a Sils umpire facing a side that was second in the league, four subs on the bench and having won 8:0 the day before. A comprehensive tonking was on the cards but the Sils never say die attitude was put to the test with a rallying call from Captain Samantha Cooper to do your best and enjoy the game.

Naturally the game started with Rugby pressing hard whist Sils were trying to find their feet as the new players bedded in to their positions and adjusting to the faster pace that was being encountered. Rugby were soon into their game plan attacking down either wing with pace and after 5 minutes had the ball in the net luckily disallowed due to the forward actually kicking it in but not to be diswayed they kept attacking and hitting the defensive wall that Sils had assembled with few chances to assemble any real chance of their own. On 12 minutes a decisive moment of the game came as the ball was smashed across the D and as the advancing attacker hit on full contact Joanne Brett was on hand to make a monumental diving save to thwart the attempt. With Rugby aghast Sils composed themselves and counter attacked with speed as Kate Huntington advanced up the pitch, a fierce shot was unleashed in to the D with the quick thinking Cooper gaining a deflection the shot slammed past the static keeper before she knew what had happened.

Rugby were shocked into action and resumed their attacks on the Sils defence with Brett in fine form saving everything that was being thrown her way. Any residual problems being cleared away by the reliable Huntington working well with her younger counterpart. Rugby were gaining short corner after short corner and somehow they were either being charged down at the point by the non- compromising Ruth Dovey or blocked out by the well managed defence. The traffic was pretty much all one way with few opportunities to alleviate the pressure. The few attacks that Sils managed were often nullified with the ball coming straight back into the defensive area. By half time Sils were still holding onto their richly deserved lead and Rugby were starting to question their tactics and how best to go about trying to score.

As the second half commenced Rugby were encamped within the Sils 25 and pretty much stayed there for the whole half. Short corners were starting to mount and the pressure was telling as legs began to tire but the corners were somehow smashed away, save or blocked. On 50 minutes a goal bound shot was inadvertently stopped with a defenders foot and a flick awarded, as the ground went quiet the forward calmly took her position only for the flick to be saved with a fine arching dive to the right by Jo and turned around the post. But it wasn’t to stay this way for long and after a succession of short corners the equaliser was eventually forced home by the post. This buoyed Rugby on even further and a greater urgency was found as they went in search of a winner there were one on ones, blocks, and smothers as the keeper held up attacks as the defence and midfield together with the forwards worked tirelessly to keep a well organised and confident team at bay. But with two minutes left on the clock the inevitable happened as Rugby forced home the winner with little time for Sils to reply.

As the final whistle sounded the whole team were applauded by the opposition with special praise from all the assembled players, coaches and spectators afforded to Joanne Brett for an outstanding display.

MOM: unanimously awarded to Joanne “Princess” Brett for a scintillating display of a goalkeeping master class.

DOD: Those members of the first team squad with dodgy excuses for not making it today!