‘LACK of game time cost us on the day,’ commented Vagabonds’s women’s team coach Bryan Kennaugh after his side’s massive defeat at the hands of Eccles on Saturday.
It was their fifth loss in a row and biggest to date this season in RFU Women’s North Division Two.
The team’s hopes of maintaining a low scoreline were quickly crushed with two tries within the first 10 minutes. Both tries came from gaps in the defensive line.
As the scoreline reflects, this was not a good day for the team. There were great individual displays, in particular the experienced members of the Connections Recruitment-sponsored Manx side played out of their skin.
Joanne McCabe was out of position at scrum half and got clean ball out to the backs from set-piece and rucks, while Sophia Birchall had a battle to keep the ball in the scrums with her opposite number insisting upon using her leg as a kicking post.
Cassie Watterson played with aggression and strength on the pitch and was rewarded forward of the match for her efforts.
A combination of the Vagabonds defensive line being somewhat staggered and the lack of low tackling were the team’s main downfalls. As a result, the opposition found the weaknesses and capitalised on them. This is where they won the game.
On the other hand the Ballafletcher side’s rucking has shown improvement and the team stole some good ball.
In the dying minutes of the game, where no hope was in sight, Vagabonds maintained their dignity and played their socks off.
The offensive play of full-back Fiona Gavin was commendable with her attempts to find gaps in the defensive line. Although Rachel Clark is new to the game, her performance has consistently improved.
Hopefully 2012 will bring renewed optimism for the team.