After last season’s triumph of moving from bottom up to third position the Wight Wolves travelled to Andover on Sunday 24th September for their first tournament of the Hampshire Women’s Touch League, and were very excited to be playing in their brand new kit sponsored by PowerSure Connections and Triangle Cables.
After entering the league last season for the first time and seeing an incredible increase in their playing level throughout the season it was exciting to be back with 11 teams now competing. With a new squad line up of five seniors and seven junior players it meant learning a whole new way to play, and with the introduction of scrums after them being scrapped over Covid, there was a lot to learn.
Unfortunately the first match was against the home team, Andover, who were last season’s touch league champions, and it was a flat out 4 – 0 defeat for the Wolves.
The second match was Fordingbridge, last year’s runners up. A beautiful text book try by Rachel unfortunately was beaten by two tries from the opposing team. With a majority of junior players on the pitch, if a scrum was required it meant subbing on senior players and this disrupted the flow of play and team positioning, however the team adjusted well and the defence showed a fantastic improvement on getting onside after tackles.
Aldershot and Fleet were the next match, a team who seemed to have evolved since last season and the 3-1 score to them following a lovely run down the wing try from Phoebe, was a little hard to take.
Gosport showed some quick recycles of the ball and a solid defence, with three different and interesting refereeing styles each game took some adjusting and unfortunately Gosport secured a 3-0 victory.
Finally New Milton stepped up for the last match of the day, it was a tough battle against our favourite friendly team, which finished in a 1-1 draw with Phoebe putting the ball down in style.
The competition was tough against the higher teams in the league, however the Wolves were happy to finish joint fifth with their new team and new laws to learn. Team consisted of; Seniors: Claire Mumford (Captain), Nell Smith, Shannon Carey, Sam Anderson and Liv Salter. Juniors: Phoebe, Rachel, Emily, Robyn, Scarlett, Leah and Ace. Coach: Nathan Tombleson. Players Player award went to Nell Smith and Wolfiest Wolf award to Leah.
Second tournament of the season
Next, on Sunday 8th October, Wight Wolves then had their second tournament of the season at Gosport and Fareham Rugby Club. With another new team list, for once with more senior then junior players, it was back to the start on learning how to play together.
After some confusion about game play and rules with a young referee the first match against league leaders Andover again resulted in a 4-0 loss to the Wolves. The Wolves had arrived super early not expecting a bye for the first match, but when things were shuffled and the first match was pulled forward they weren’t quite ready to be in the right game play.
The next match was Gosport and Fareham, the home team. Having more senior players available meant not having to sub every time there was a scrum which made game play a lot smoother after the last tournament. The score of 3-0 to Gosport and Fareham did not reflect how well the defensive line played together.
First win for the Wolves
For the third match Aldershot and Fleet scored in the first half, with Wolves battling, but not making the ground they needed. On sixth touch the turnover was awarded just before the try line every time, so close but not quite enough.
In the second half the try of the tournament for the Wolves went to Sianne, the beauty of seeing a forward score a try in a touch tournament spurred the team on for tries from Rachel and Phoebe, resulting in a 3-1 win for the Wolves.
Fordingbridge was a tough match, last year they were runners up in the league and this year they played a solid game not letting the Wolves through the defence at all but securing four tries themselves.
The a 5-0 victory
It was a relentlessly hot day and all the teams were getting tired and picking up injuries. Thankfully the New Milton game was evenly matched with a 0-0 score line at the end.
The final match was against Farnborough and Winchester who had joined teams due to low numbers of players available. Thankfully this worked to the Wolves advantage who had players out, no subs available and slightly injured players on the pitch wanting to play to finish. The first half saw two tries from Phoebe and another from Rachel which bolstered spirits going into half time.
In the second half Phoebe scored again and Shannon touched the ball down to secure a 5-0 victory.
A true picture of their determination and endurance
The Wolves had battled through this tournament and it was a true picture of their determination and endurance to leave the tournament in fourth place, moving up from last time.
Player’s Player award went to Sianne and Wolfiest Wolf was Scarlett. The team consisted of; Seniors: Captain Claire Mumford, Nell Smith, Shannon Carey, Sam Anderson and Sianne Lown-Interian. Juniors: Phoebe, Rachel, Scarlett and Ace.
Big thanks to the supporting Charlotte and waterboy Paul who’s attendance and support were much appreciated.
The Wight Wolves next tournament is on 29th October at Alton.
Join in
Anyone interested in joining the Wolves please see our Facebook page or turn up to training at Wootton Recreation Ground on Wednesday evenings from 6pm.
News shared by Claire on behalf of Wight Wolves. Ed
