Girls’ Rugby 7’s Stars
Last Friday saw the RGS girls’ 7’s team at the National Schools’ Rosslyn Park 7’s. With a side that ranged in experience from Harlequins 1st XV to total newbie the team weren’t sure where the day would take them.
During the first game against last years’ semi finalists, Sir Thomas Picton School, RGS set the tone for the rest of our day with a stunning performance and some brilliant tries leading to a winning score of 33-7.
Game two was against an athletic Oundle side but RGS’s quality and pace resulted in a 29-5 victory.
Game three, a ‘winner takes all’ match against Wisbech Grammar School meant RGS had to produce some of their best Rugby of the day on one of the biggest pitches the girls had ever played on. They stepped up and came away with yet another winning scoreline, 34-5.
This is the first time in the history of girls’ Rugby at RGS that a team have won the group stage at the nationals. The result placed RGS in the 1/4 finals against a very experienced Coleg Gwent Crosskeys College where the team had the most bruising encounter of the day. Despite the tough opposition, RGS’s quality and desire to play a wide fast game allowed them to squeeze through 17-15.
Now through to the semi final, RGS played an undefeated Glantaf side whose girls all play regularly in the U18 Welsh club league. Despite a brave effort, the RGS team finally met their match losing out 12-29 to a very experience team.
Progressing so far in the competitions is a fantastic achievement for the girls and one that will no doubt help to secure a strong future for girls’ Rugby at RGS. Special mentions go to Captain Kirsty G who led the team brilliantly and set a great example for the team; Ellie G whose experience of playing top flight Rugby for Harlequins gave the rest of the team so much confidence; Ella W whose pace and strength allowed many scoring opportunities; and Brianna E who was awarded our player of the tournament award having demonstrated great speed, handling and determination over the course of the day.
