It was a pleasure to watch a fantastic, following game of rugby. The score didn’t reflect the commitment and rugby skills that were shown by all players today.

The game began resembling a car engine that had just been turned over, slightly cold but you knew that it had potential and we were not disappointed.

Ronnie was tenacious throughout, making scything tackles then getting quickly to her feet, stealing the ball, creating several counter attacking opportunities. She was her usual self going forward, running into the gaps, drawing in players to provide controlled ball for players outside to capitalize on open space. I hope your neck is not too sore.

Mylie was very dominant going forward, again drawing in 1 or 2 players before delivering a controlled pass or on the floor presentation. Mylie’s defining moment was late in the game when the team decided to attack from their own goal line. She was out wide and could easily have passed to Angelina, but instead she showed the ball, stepped in off her outside foot, flicked the nitrous button, leaving players for dead flat footed. She waited for the exact moment to make a timed pass which put Angelina away- try time.

Meg, a diamond in the rough. Started in the front row and then moved to the centre. I believe that she would give Aimee a run for her money in the tackling arena. Every player was taken below the knees and just above the ankles. Going forward her running was straight and powerful. She scored a great individual try by stepping off her left foot, wrong footing her opponent to create a gap under the posts.

Rosie O, what a pleasure to see some old form, fast of the mark, straight running, slick accurate passing and off the shoulder support. I also lost count of the number of steals she had.

Anna, normally a 6 but maybe a 7 ?. She was another tenacious ball winner, jacking hard and turning over ball. Her work rate was relentless and provided several counter attacking opportunities.

Emily, number 9 and captain. She lead by example and was relentless with her effort. She too was tenacious and provided an essential link between the forwards and the backs. She was rewarded late in the second half with a great individual try. We were quick to turn over the ball and she picked up had a quick snipe to find herself in open space. She glanced back quickly and had no choice but to put her head back and cover 50m ASAP.

Ophelia was asked to provide quick flowing ball to the backs as often as she could. She never faltered in this task. She would deliver and then loop to create that ever needed overlap. She pressed players and made many crucial tackles. She displayed great awareness when there was an absence of a scrum half and quickly provided continuity in attack.

In times past, a team’s cohesion and effectiveness was judged on how many tries wingers had scored. Well, Holly and Angelina were provided with many opportunities which they took with great eagerness.

Holly was patient and would stay wide always holding her space. She showed how you can run effectively when still holding the ball in two hands. In defence, she pressed her opponent and often tackled her in possession. She showed great awareness coming in off her wing to secure ball and provide continuity of play.

Angelina, we know she can run but she also proved that she can place kick too. She was strong and quick in attack, showing good awareness, trying to change direction at speed to create gaps and opportunities. She has a very unselfish demeanor and is developing an awareness of other players around her. Once again was strong in the tackle.

It would be wrong of me to not acknowledge the efforts of the other three, none Lichfield players. Sophia, very unique in her own way but what an infectious personality. She thought Christmas had gone early with a stunning 40m run with players hanging off her, just falling short of the line. Caitlyn partnered Rosie in the second row and was awesome going forward, breaking tackles and stealing essential ball. Hannah, a back row player was brilliant in the centre, working highly effectively with Megan preventing the opposition from breaking through midfield.

Finally, I would like to thank Paul for organising this game and for the relentless support of the parents. Opportunities like this would not be possible without such commitment.