Silsden Stormettes U15s 30 – 14 Queensbury U15s
Thankfully, the temperature had dropped a little from Friday’s scorching heat, leaving near-perfect conditions for Sunday morning’s game. There was still a little stickiness in the air, but the girls took to the field ready for another tough challenge against a Queensbury side we knew, despite earlier results this season, would not be underestimated.
The Stormettes came flying out of the blocks, and it was immediately obvious this wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. Queensbury were incredibly well organised defensively and matched Silsden’s intensity from the opening sets. However, the Stormettes gradually began to build pressure, pinning Queensbury deep inside their own half.
After a spell of frantic goal-line defence, Daisy spotted an opportunity and darted over straight from the play-the-ball before calmly adding the conversion to give Silsden a 6-0 lead.
It wasn’t long before the girls found themselves camped on the Queensbury line once again. On the last tackle, everyone expected Daisy to put in the kick, but instead she sold a superb dummy, danced through the defence and crossed for her second try of the morning to extend the lead to 10-0.
Queensbury responded well, getting themselves on the scoreboard with a deserved try, but Silsden weren’t finished. After another determined set of carries, Nell powered over from around 10 metres out to restore the Stormettes’ momentum, and the sides went into the break with Silsden leading 14-4.
The second half couldn’t have started much better. Nell, who was outstanding all morning with some fearless and powerful running, grabbed her second try of the game.
Jess, playing in a new role at loose forward, then produced one of her trademark barnstorming runs, crashing over for another excellent try. Daisy maintained her near perfect kicking record to make it 26-4.
As has happened in a few games this season, the Stormettes eased off slightly, and against good opposition you simply can’t afford to do that. Queensbury showed exactly why they deserve so much credit, rallying brilliantly with two excellent tries and a conversion to reduce the deficit to 26-14.
When the referee announced there were still six minutes remaining, there were a few nervous faces in blue and green. The game certainly wasn’t over.
With Queensbury building momentum, the Stormettes dug deep once more. Daisy produced a brilliant pass to release Maisie, who still had plenty of work to do, powering through defenders before diving into the corner to seal the victory.
Tempers briefly flared in the closing moments, involving players from both sides, but it was nothing more than competitive spirit. At the final whistle, both teams shook hands, congratulated one another and showed exactly what girls’ rugby league is all about.
Final score 30 – 14
Both Queensbury and Silsden Stormettes should be immensely proud of themselves. It was a competitive, hard-fought and thoroughly entertaining game of rugby league, played with passion, commitment and respect from start to finish.
Parents award went to Maisie
Coaches award went to Brooke Brooke
Oppositions Award went to Daisy
With Bo taking the Captains award.
