Sandal U14 girls started the 2023 season with a trip to West Park Leeds for a pitch-up-and-play festival bringing teams together from around the region. Conditions were perfect for running rugby and Sandal made the most of them notching up 19 tries to only 1 in response in an hour of thrilling rugby. Three games were played, each 20 minutes long, against opposition combining several clubs to even up numbers at around 12-a-side. Sandal were able to play together as a whole team for every game - previously a rare occurrence - and this helped the team gel together to deliver an all-round outstanding performance.

Game 1
A brisk start from the kick-off put the opposition under pressure resulting in Lilly winning a turnover at a ruck. The ball was fed to Orla who fixed the opposition defence giving Ava the space to score. Immediately from the kick-off Sophie made ground to link with Lilly who set up and excellent attacking ruck. The forwards drew in the defence with some aggressive pick-and-go cycles eventually putting Isla into a gap. Isla powered through the defence and scored with plenty of options available in support.

Sandal did not have things all their own way. Some determined attacking from the opposition required a committed defensive effort. Olivia was disruptive in a defensive ruck and then immediately made a dominant tackle to stop an attack in its tracks. Poppy competed hard at another defensive ruck winning a penalty and releasing any building pressure. Back on the offensive, Poppy took advantage of some close quarters forward play to score from close range finishing a very well constructed team try.

The second half started just like the first. A perfectly executed tackle from Grace set up a ruck in midfield and quick reactions from the support players won Sandal a penalty. Capitalising on good field position Sandal mixed forward drives and fast hands to make space for Lucy to score another great team try. Finding her kicking rhythm, Orla converted in style.

Keeping the pressure on the opposition, Sandal won another turnover. Three strong runs from Orla, Esther and Lilly put Izzy into space. Izzy made ground and set the ball perfectly allowing Isla to pick up and score out wide. Orla converted from a very difficult angle.

Sandal continued to dominate in attack and defense. Grace jinked through to score a magnificent solo try; Orla similarly went on a mazey run to score; Lilly set up another score with two powerful tackles allowing Lucy and Eve to pick up and link with Orla who went over for her second try of the half.

Game 2
Starting quickly again, Sandal pressured the opposition into conceding a penalty near their own line. Showing great awareness, Orla powered over from close range, going on to convert her own try. A period of to-and-fro drew the teams toward the centre of the pitch. Hattie picked up a loose ball and showed pace and agility to run round the remaining defence before touching down between the posts making Orla's conversion more straightforward.

Continuing the theme from the first game, Sandal put pressure on the opposition in defence. Aggressive rucking caused the opposition to spill the ball at the base and a powerful run from Poppy released Daisy, who always looked dangerous with ball-in-hand, to score. Orla converted. However, the opposition remained determined and set up a useful attacking position in midfield. A resulting break exposed the Sandal defence but a try-saving tackle from Harriet snuffed the attack out. A rare moment of conspicuous brilliance to add to her tireless unseen work at the breakdown.

In the second half the opposition found some momentum and ran through phases and this time it was Sandal under pressure. A dangerous attack in midfield stretched the Sandal defence putting one of the opposition’s strike runners into space. Lauryn stepped up and stopped the runner in her tracks, releasing the pressure and allowing Sandal to reset. As Sandal found their feet again Orla released the backs resulting in a penalty as the opposition infringed at a ruck. Capitalising on confusion in the opposition, a quick take allowed Lilly to score in the corner.

Sandal continued to grow in confidence and finished the game with a textbook team try. Working through multiple phases and combining handling with forceful running, a well organised attack led to Hattie finishing under the posts, although she was one of many who could have scored. Orla converted to end game 2.

Game 3
Game 3 got off to perfect start for Sandal. Excellent tackling midfield frustrated the opposition's attacks and when Sandal regained the ball a well-timed pass from Harriet presented an opportunity for Sophie to score a most elegant try in the corner. Some adept offloading in midfield from Isla and Izzy made the most of the next phase of possession with Grace finishing the move running under the posts to score. Orla converted confidently. Grace continued to make her presence felt with an outstanding tackle in midfield that stopped all of the opposition’s momentum. Sandal's defensive effort continued and in an impressive display of tenacity Lucy chased down and tackled an attacker over 50m to save a certain try. Isla finished the half with a signature forceful break through traffic before running almost the full length of the field to score.

The final half of rugby for the day was more evenly matched with possession changing hands frequently. But Sandal were the first to make a breakthrough. Topping off a magnificent performance, the forwards drove through the opposition, leaving them in disarray. The backs took advantage of the chaos and Isla scored from close range. Orla converted. The final Sandal try of the day was fittingly scored by Eve who had already come close several times. Grace broke clear and found Eve, who had worked hard all afternoon to be available in support for her teammates, to score a well-deserved try. Orla converted.

Sandal should be very proud of their performance today. The team effort was exceptional - attacks from the opposition were wrecked by aggressive defence in the tackle and the breakdown area, attacking opportunities were created and exploited by players working hard in support, and the positive and welcoming attitude displayed all round made the games a pleasure to watch. For some girls this was their first game of rugby union, but they all coped admirably and were real assets on the pitch. Credit should go to the opposition teams who tested Sandal in difficult circumstances, often playing with unfamiliar teammates and out of position. But in the end Sandal's teamwork, hard work and talent won the day.