Match Report: York RI Women v Scunthorpe Women

Bonfire night meant that RI made the slight detour to Scunthorpe’s alternative site to play their match this weekend and despite the rain for the past month, the pitch wasn’t too wet and spirits were high coming into the game.

York RI have seen a huge influx of new players over the last few weeks and that meant that there were some new names on the squad list. We were also grateful to welcome some players from York RUFC and new players from YSJ this weekend, and this meant that we went into the game with a full starting 15 AND subs. What a treat!

The game got off to another great start by RI with some fantastic passages of play working them up the pitch. There is a new found confidence in the team that is evident in the way players carry the ball and look for opportunities to run into space. Throughout the game there were notable performances from the likes of Cat Tottie, Erin Thomas and Jazz Harrison who were relentless in both defense and attack. Whilst she didn’t quite finish it off, Cat had two fantastic breaks into acres of space and RI won’t make the mistake of not having a support player on her shoulder next game. Erin made more carries than any other player on the pitch that day and Jazz was truly making a nuisance of herself tackling anything that moved.

Unfortunately it was just going to be Scunthorpe that scored in the first half of the game, utilising their speedsters out wide and capitalising on some overlaps. RI’s scramble defense on the 5m line was outstanding but it proved just too difficult to hold before long.

The second half saw RI really step up as Charlotte Pether and Daisy Whitwood ordered their players around the pitch and the team settled back into their patterns. Some great kicks from penalties by Nic Hill worked them up the pitch but some not straight lineouts saw possession turned back over to Scunthorpe. However it was Manon that crossed the white line eventually after she spotted the tiniest of gaps around the side of a ruck and slithered through three defenders to score almost under the posts. RI converted and breathed a sigh of relief to finally get on the scoreboard. The game finished 34-7 to Scunthorpe.

Another performance that RI can be proud of and some particularly good individual shifts - there are just some loose ends that need tying up. That being said, RI conceded considerably less points to Scunthorpe this match than last time we played them. We look forward to the return fixture and seeing how much we can grow as a team between now and then.

Thank you again to our borrowed players and a special shout out to Loren Sandoval and Sarah Cowin who played their first ever games of rugby. They really stepped up and got stuck into the game. Welcome to the team and welcome to Monday’s with aching shoulders and bruised legs.

Forward of the match - Erin Thomas

Back of the match - Daisy Whitwood

Opposition of the match - Cat Tottie