Ealing Jades faced a rugby free Sunday after their league opposition, Ashford, asked to postpone. But Millwall Ladies stepped up and travelled West side for a game which also saw some TVU girls join us too.
Ealing Jades kicked off what proved to be a fantastic game of rugby. Some excellent phases saw Ealing steal the ball from Millwall and Abby Nduva storm over the try line to score the first of their many points of the day.
With the two teams short on numbers, at 12 a side, the scrums went uncontested but the rest of the game saw some tough rucking and ferocious mauls by Ealing Jades. Some excellent defensive play led to Ealing winning the ball then good handiwork by the back line saw Abby, once again, take the ball over for the second try of the game.
Ealing also had some new players to the pitch although you wouldn’t be able to tell that Louise was playing her first full game for the Jades. The power and tackles put in show some great potential in this newbie although her pint drinking abilities leave a lot to be said. Hannah played some great support play rugby for Tash at fly half, consistently taking the off load and barging through the defensive line. Lauren in her first game with the Jades had an excellent first game showing immense confidence and skill already – watch out for this player!
The backs rose to the challenge seeing Tash at fly half commanding the plays throughout the game well. With secure ball out wide, Tash took a loop ball from Sheena who was making a great run up the wing and secured try number three. Which was, for the third time, successfully converted by Tash herself.
The match proved an incredible team effort with every Ealing Jade giving their all and try number four was taken over the line by Sharon Braddish, who is consistently in support, seeing her second in as many games.
Whilst Millwall lacked a lot of experience they soon made up for it in effort as their confidence grew over the course of the match. They took on the ball with more strength and speed, often cutting through rare gaps in the Ealing Jades defence. Some great tackles by Liyana meant that Millwall were soon stopped in their tracks on a number of occasions. Ealing now really starting to think decisively, began making some good breaks with the likes of Stacie Casciani spotting gaps and driving through the defence. Vanessa Dixon took the ball on and showed how much she has grown as a player in the last few months, responding as a runner in the back line with ease. Lindsey Irvine utilised some new found skills on the pitch in the second half by side stepping and handing off some players to break the line and offload to the wing.
The lack of experience within Millwall, meant Skipper Liz Garvey was able to capitalise on a loose ball from the scrum and run a try in from the half way line. This was also followed up by another try after fending off some tired Millwall girls.
Ealing put on a great show for those who came down to support them and romped home to a 69-0 win.
Whilst this match may not have been a league game it was victorious nonetheless, with many lessons learnt which we will take forward when we play Hammersmith and Fulham at home, Sunday 20th February.
Forward of the match went to Liyana and back of the match Abby.
