As the U18’s are struggling to put out a Durham County side this season (primarily because Mowden are the only Durham club with an U18’s team) we have been allowed to link up with Cumbria in the County competition. This has allowed some games to take place, enabled the ‘cudas to get some 15 a side action and will also enable the girls to trial for the Divisional’s after Christmas.
A last minute change of venue due to the bad weather meant a trek all the way to Silloth on the Solway Firth but it was worth all the effort.
With only a 45 minute warm up to sort out positions and a starting 15, the girls put up a superb performance against a well drilled and talented Northumberland side.
Mickey and Emma provided the power to the front row, Philb supporting in the second row and Burt anchoring things at number 8. Jess put in a debut U18 performance at fly half and it was good to see Ducky put in a second half return from injury. We even had a new player on display for the first time, Alycia Hodgson, using her dancing skills on the wing.
This was the first full 15 a side game that we have had this season, so given that the result was even more impressive. The defensive tackling was particularly strong with the missed tackle count very low indeed.
The girls ran out 15-7 victors and they should be as proud of themselves as I am of them.
The next county game is on the 12th December against Lancashire at the Vale of Lune. We are already looking forward to that one.