Ilkeston Impalas – under-12 girls rugby team – played in the NLD Festival for the first time at the weekend. The verdict from Nick Morley of Ilkeston Rugby Club: “That’s the best we’ve seen you play!” The girls finished in third place.
He reports:
The game against the Barbarians was the best start you have done and you were relentless, like a wolf pack hunting down its prey and punishing them.
The Long Eaton game was the best team effort we’ve seen you do. You all worked hard, played your role and scored one of the best team tries we’ve seen in a long time. Again, the intensity was there from the get go.
The Loughborough game was different. The break didn’t do us good and we were slow out the blocks. We then went into catch up mode, meaning our decision making wasn’t on point and we ended up playing Loughborough’s game and not our own. You will learn more from your losses than any easy game.
Into the final 3rd /4th playoff and we had the pain of the Loughborough loss still fresh in our hearts, so you were determined to do a good job. Some tough work done by all and you had to work hard to keep the scoreboard ticking over and produce a great driving maul over the line for a proper forwards try. Your ability to keep going, even when things get hard is testament to how you want to do well for the team and each other.
We are so proud of how well you have all developed over the season and you can hold your heads high at the standard of rugby you displayed.
Tries scored
Pool stage
Barbarians 0- 6 Ilkeston
Ilkeston 5 Long Eaton 2
Loughborough 4-0 Ilkeston
Final 2 (3rd 4th playoff)
Ilkeston 2-2 Dinnington
Joint 3rd place finish
Hope you enjoyed the festival ladies.
From Nick Morley
Ilkeston Rugby Club
Girls Section coordinator
