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Friday 15th March – Mississauga Blues RFC U18 Girls arrived at Drybrook RFC for their final stay of their England tour.
The 24 girls and 7 coaches arrived to a warm welcome by the host families after travelling from Liverpool via Warwick castle. They were treated to a traditional Fish and Chips supper and got to know the Drybrook girls and coaches before heading to their billets for the night!
Saturday 16th March – an early start for the girls for a 10.30 KO at the Mannings – the squads arrived and warmed up in readiness for the international match. Drybrook U18’s V Mississauga Blues U18s was the first game of what was a full morning showcasing girls rugby. Represenatives from the senior and mini/junior committee, the GRFU, the RFU and County coaches gathered with a large crowd of spectators to watch this first international game for Drybrook U18 girls.
The first 10 minutes went by without a score – and it seemed like it could be quite an even match, but the Blues found their form and made a number of fast paced breaks that the Drybrook Girls couldn’t catch. Drybrook dug in and did well in the scrums and were awarded a few penalties and eventually went over the line – only to be held up! Again the blues showed their pace and made further tries, but after some great work by both the backs and forwards, Molly Teague scored a try for Drybrook! At the final whistle the girls celebrated the game with dives into the muddy puddles – Mississauga girls not used to such wet and muddy conditions, enjoyed the chance to mud slide! The final score was Drybrook 5 – Mississauga Blues 54. Robyn Hancock and Kayliegh Bartlett were awarded Girls of the game!
The next game saw Drybrook u13’s V Tewkesbury u13’s – the u13’s played fantastic rugby in what was a great game to watch – Drybrook girls showed pace, power and prowess and the match ended in a 50 – 5 victory for Drybrook! Tries were scored by Saska Bowdler (2), Georgia Wintle (2), Hannah Roberts (2), Leah Teague, Chloe Wakefield, Megan English and Lily Walker. Girl of the game went to Saska Bowdler.
Drybrook U15’s then played their match V Tewkesbury U15’s – this was a close contest in which the result looked like it could go either way! Drybrook girls kept up the pressure and continually dug deep to end with a great win over Tewkesbury – the result Drybrook 22 Tewkesbury 20. Try scorers were Charlotte Fisher, Amber Probyn, Natalie Pye and Chloe Wakefield with Amber also kicking a conversion. Girl of the game was awarded to April Vanston.
After the matches Drybrook presented Tewkesbury with a rugby ball signed by England women and a plaque as a thank you for taking part in the occasion. Mississauga Blues girls sang an impromtu rendition of sunshine mountain that had everyone stood on the chairs!!
The whole of Drybrook Girls Section and the Canadians gathered at the club for a presentation at 7pm , Mike Curran the head coach of Mississauga Blues presented Drybrooks Captain, Maizie Morgan, with a shield and shirt, and expressed his thanks for Drybrook Girls hosting them on their tour. The Drybrook coaches, manager and girls of the games, all recieved gifts from Mississauga. Drybrook in turn presented the Canadian Coaches and each of the girls with gifts to remember their visit to Drybrook!
After the presentations the coaches left for the Brewery Tap in Mitcheldean where an evening drinking traditional ale ensued!
Drybrook and Mississauga Blues Girls stayed in the club house for a farewell party! Much enjoyment was had and the girls partied all evening, before heading home to their billets for their final night in England.
Sunday 17th March– The girls arrived at Drybrook to bid farewell to their Canadian friends – much hugging and a few tears – before the coach pulled out of the club car park to make the journey to Heathrow Airport!
This was a fantastic weekend for everyone involved at Drybrook Girls section, everyone will remember the experience for ever. Firm friends have been made and we will definately keep in touch – the Mississauga Blues were fabulous amabassadors for Canada and were great representatives for their club, everyone commented on how lovely they were and how friendly, chatty and polite they were.
An amazing time – what a weekend for Drybrook RFC Girls section! A big thank you to everyone involved, especially the girls that made the weekend so fantastic!
Canada tour 2015 here we come!!!
