Rugby, Tears and Beers.
14 games done. That sounds really odd to actually out into words. It’s been a long time coming from the rainy days of September 2019. 13 Women giving rugby a go just for the hell of it. Now as I write this we have a squad of over 40 players who have played the first season of Women’s rugby ever seen at Ruislip RFC.
Getting the players amped up and ready for this game was never going to be an issue, they had a score they wanted to settle from the start of the season, stopping them from being too wound up was going to be the challenge for the coaches.
Another beautiful day greeted us as at our beloved ground on West End Road. The first order of the day was paying our respects to Maddy Lawerence, who sadly lost her life as the result of injury sustained playing our wonderful game. Both number 11 shirts were retired for the day and hung under scoreboard and both teams observed a minutes applause. RIP Maddy.
The game started in typical Ruislip fashion, fast and hard. The physicality has been a feature of our play all season and the Women brought it to bare on Hackney from the outset. Hollie spotted a gap in the Hackney defensive line and, not for the first time this season, she used her pace and almost made it to the try line only to be stopped by a last ditch tackle. Hannah did finish the move off within a couple of phases. Throughout the game Louise ran hard line after hard line, crossing the gain line every time and providing quality front foot ball for us. She got her just rewards with the second try of the game. The majority of the first half was spent in the Hackney half and with Ruislip in possession. 12-0 to the home team at the half.
Hackney clearly had something extra in their water bottles as they came out firing in the second half and duly scored the first points of the half. Game on. The second half was too and fro with some strong work by the Ruislip pack countered by some quick hands by the Hackney backs. Both teams scored again, this time it was Jenna for Ruislip. The game was tight all the way to the final whistle. Final score 17-12.
The outpouring of emotion was instant as soon as the whistle was blown. The women spent the next 10 mins hugging, crying, laughing and smiling. The bond this team has developed is another level and that was there for all to see. This wasn’t a cup final win or gaining promotion but it meant just as much to this group. They had achieved history, had fun doing it and made bonds for life. In the clubhouse after the game the Prosecco, supplied by our fantastic sponsor Terry Russell, and beers duly flowed and the smiles remained as big as they had at the final whistle.
For me it has been an absolute honour to coach this team over the last couple of years. To see them develop from barely able to catch a ball to putting together complex multiple phases of play on the pitch has been inspiring. Week after week myself and the other coaches have seen the players set a new standard, the following week they would exceed that standard and set a new bench mark. They have exceeded expectations time and time again.
It’s hard to put into words how proud I am of each and everyone of the squad that have pulled on a Ruislip jersey this season. It is a privilege to be their Head Coach and I’m really looking forward to seeing what next season brings.
All that remains is to say a huge thank you to our sponsors Terry (The Russell Partnership) and Liam (O’Neill Building Services) for their support throughout the season. Also a big thank you to all the supporters we have had both home and away all season, it has made a huge difference to the players.
The players have now got a well earned rest for a couple of months before we set about bigger and better things in our second season.