York RI Women v Old Brodleians Ladies: Match report

The 2023/24 league season has officially kicked off with our first fixture against Old Brodleians. Our match report tells of a hard-fought game and a close 36-32 win for Old Brods…

With the Men’s Rugby World Cup in full swing and multiple players inconveniently in France, it was a chaotic start to the rugby season for RI, who had to start the game with 13 players. Old Brods matched us for the kick off and both sides dropped flankers. Without any substitutes on the bench, it was a big ask from the beginning for all of the York RI players, who knew they’d have to play a full 80 minutes. And wow, did they step up to the challenge.

This week York RI saw two new players making their debut appearance with Abbey Frederiksen starting at inside centre and Pip Vinten taking over fullback duties whilst our co-Captain Jodie is away. The game also saw the return of Cat Whiteley who has been away for what seems like a year (allegedly working, mostly just skiing...). Welcome back Cat and well done to Pip and Abbey!

As is sometimes the case for York RI, the first ten minutes were a little slow to get going. Whether the last minute lineup changes are to blame or it’s just something we need to work on, it meant that Old Brods were on the scoreboard with two tries in the first 20 minutes. Spectators on the side lines were beginning to worry whether it would be a season of few tries for RI but then, enter Abbey Frederiksen. Some smooth passing into space saw her cross the whitewash with more FOOTWORK and PASSION than the Old Brodleian defense could handle. Suddenly, the RI attack was switched on and an epic battle for dominance began.

Old Brods answered Abbey’s try with two more of their own - missed tackles allowing them enough space to score and convert. With the score sitting at 22-5 it was Pip’s turn to receive the ball, step around some defenders and accelerate into the corner to score. 22-10 to Old Brods at half time.

Sadly, RI scrum half Vera took an injury just before half time with a dislocated thumb and was forced to leave the pitch. This left RI with just 12 players and the team knew an even bigger shift was required in the second half of the game. York RI’s 13th player would have to be ENERGY, PASSION and FOOTWORK for approximately 45 minutes. (Curse you NC2 and your switch to a full 80 minutes!).

First to score in the second half was debutant Abbey. There’s a lot to be said for the energy shift that an early try can give a team - especially when you go into half time losing. RI found their flow throughout the second half, improving with every phase and continuing to move the ball about with confidence. The team had discussed their desire to play a more cohesive game between forwards and backs this season and this came to fruition throughout the second half. There were many notable points during the game, whether it was Jazz bouncing off players like a pinball machine, Manon and Cat demanding the ball on the wing to challenge the back three defenders or scrums that sat Old Brods on their backsides.

The defense out in space left a little to be desired with York RI conceding another two tries to put the score to 36-15. However the defensive effort over the try line was immense. A scramble defense held up a try for the opposition 9 and stopped a maul in its tracks to turn the ball over.

In the last 10 minutes of the game, RI showed real grit and backed their fitness. First to cross the try line was Vice Captain Abbie Hallas, doing it in true Abbie Hallas fashion - boshing players out the way from a quick tap at a penalty 10m out. She’s a menace to defend against every game and I am personally glad I never had to tackle her outside of training.

The last two tries came from Cat Whiteley and Manon. Manon’s name caused so much confusion as she sprinted down the left wing that the opposition thought everyone was screaming ‘man on!’ - sadly the defenders were not on and she slid in under the posts to hand Nicola her first conversion. The final try came off a beautiful offload from a forward to Cat who had little to do but put her foot down and score in the corner.

Unfortunately, despite multiple penalties in York’s favour and a try for Ann-Marie held up in the last few plays of the game, the game ended 36-32 to Old Brodleians. It was truly a spirited performance from the RI players who showed real determination to score four tries in the second half and only concede two, despite losing their scrum half. Irrespective of the loss there has been a real buzz around the game and we look forward to meeting Old Brods again at the return fixture. Thank you for coming across and pushing us.

Bring on Scarborough away in a couple of weeks!

Forward of the match: Jazz Harrison
Back of the match: Abbey Frederikson
Opposition of the match: Pip Vinten