National Regional U18's Girls Cups Final: Novacastrians v Stafford Panthers
Match Report: Written by John Wilson
Match Report 3rd March 2024 National U18s North Regional Cup Final Novacastrians RFC vs Stafford RUFC After Stafford’s convincing win in the Semi-Final against Old Crossleyans on the 4th Feb at home, the prospect of another final watching our girls with a big crowd at Stafford was exciting, to say the least. Alas, that was not to be – a trip to Newcastle-on-Tyne to take on the best of the North East was our destiny.
With a 4 hour journey, most of the team came up the night before and were really disciplined and went to bed at 9pm in their respective lodgings…..
The weeks of rain meant a late change of venue, local team Ryton RFC played genial hosts at the 11th hour, a big thanks to them is due. A couple of our families had dogs with them and were slightly dismayed when we arrived to see signs of ‘no dogs beyond this point’. A kindly gentlemen rolled up several minutes later announcing that he was the chairman of the club and they had just scrapped that rule the week before. Good will to all people in the Rugby Family!
The girls went out to warm up and the parents counted the minutes to the 2pm kick off. We had butterflies aplenty so I don’t know what the girls were feeling – there was no more we could do but our coaches with their usual cool and confident style started running the drills.
The refs were a welcome site when they came out at 1340 and we mercifully kicked off 5 minutes later.
Within seconds we were into our first scrum, to Stafford – the forwards pushed the opposition scrum back (always a welcome sight at the first scrummage) and Mel Philips at No8 broke out with the ball, charging forward.
The first minute was a blur and then Novocastrians had the first line-out – stolen in the air by Mel (this was to happen multiple times) and then Stafford gained possession, fierce rucks followed by another charge by Mel, making her presence in the game felt early. Stafford attempt to get it down the line but a scrum is called to Novos.
3 minutes gone and Novos advance into Stafford’s half but Stafford win the ball from the ruck. Novos then make a breakaway and sprint into the clear only to be brought down from the timely and extremely effective tacking of Poppy Dixon.
Stafford battle back to the half way line. It is a dry, clear day with light cloud and the pitch is definitely a bit sticky, though I’m positive in much better condition than many other grounds this weekend…
3rd scrum, Novo’s ball again – Stafford turn the ball over and get it down the line with some great yards made by Millie and Poppy before Novo’s tackle the ball out to touch for their line-out. Mel steal again and Molly makes some yards towards the Novo’s 22. From the ruck Mel and Tilly combine to push it further and get it out towards the backs.
4th scrum down, Novo’s ball again, between the half way and Novo’s 22. Stafford regain control but Novo’s are making big tackles and halting progress and preventing anything breaking through their defensive line. 5th scrum and Mel charges out the back of the scrum again, progressing to Novo’s 22.
11 minutes gone, Stafford remain on the offensive despite scrums going to the opposition. We’re winning rucks, passing well but credit to Novocastrians, we’re not getting close to that Try Line….Liz has taken a knock after some courageous play so there’s a brief pause.
More scrummaging, mostly to Novo’s - Hayley at Scrum Half is giving the opposition zero time to make anything of their balls with quick reactions and fierce tackles.
15 minutes gone, Novo’s with advantage try and get into the Stafford Half but some mighty tackles keep them pinned back, Caitlin Saunders then leads a drive back. Our forwards our rucking well then Della sees a gap to breakthrough and advance – Rose then powers through, then Liz takes it so close to the line – Novo’s are defending fiercely, Jess nearly get it over, too – then it gets passed down and Poppy makes a stride in and launches like a torpedo over the line!
Novocastrians 0 – 5 Stafford
Conversion is really close but Novocastrians restart – Mel’s big tackles still making a big difference in the middle of the park. Novocastrians maintain possession and advance towards Stafford’s 22. They knock it on and Stafford scrum. First Liz and then Rose make yards back to Halfway. Stafford from a penalty kick for a line-out but it’s caught and Novo’s charge forward. Novo’s take the initiative for the next 10 minutes, despite Stafford getting it back to the half way line a couple of times with some good moves, including a sharp scoop up by Bea, relieving the pressure on our defensive line.
We go temporarily down to 14 players and Novo’s momentum continues, though Stafford’s sterling defensive work delay it by another 5 – 10 minutes, the pressure succeeds eventually.
A successful charge down of the conversion makes it Novocastrians 5 – 5 Stafford
Stafford back to full compliment and Half time can’t be far away – Stafford kick – off, Novo’s catch but there’s all our forwards winning it back! Charges forward from Ruby, Rose, Della, then Mae and we’re into their 22 – then Rose again, then Molly, each yard is hard won but it is being won…then Ruby charging forward again and rucking well – out to Poppy again for a 2nd Stafford Try!
Novocastrians 5 – 10 Stafford
Some knocks and sore ankles from a hard fought 1st half when the opposition had an intense attacking period of about 20 minutes, Stafford still finish the half in front.
HALF TIME
Scrum down and Stafford get back to work, pushing on to Novo’s 22. Novo’s come back and the play gets a little (even) more intense. Della’s kicks forward for a Stafford Line Out.
Novo’s are working even harder and get a break through our defensive line to surge forward but Poppy is there again with a big tackle to halt the progress on our 22. Even on Novo’s scrums our forwards are constantly pushing their pack back and we’re pressing hard. Novo’s player Aminah makes a big carry forward and another scrum between our 22 and Try line. This one’s Stafford and Mel takes it out and forward again, Stafford force it back to halfway with carries from Ruby, Poppy, Caitlin then out to Bea who’s charging forward – then to Liz and Caitlin again but then Novo’s steal it, a great tackle from Molly stops their advance on the half way line.
Novo’s are relentless with their advances, though, and continue to inch it forward, Stafford defend their Try Line valiantly for the next couple of minutes but the pressure mounts and the opposition score.
Novocastrians 10 – 10 Stafford (approx. 10 – 15 minutes gone in 2nd half)
To and froing for the next 10 minutes, Stafford advance and are beaten back, Novo’s make a leap forward and every decision seems to be going against Stafford at the moment with penalty after penalty being awarded to Novocastrians – us parents seem to be the quietest we’ve been all game (though that still wasn’t that quiet!).
A pause in play to attend to a Novo’s injury always leaves us wondering exactly how long is left – play restarts and the initiative is theirs – but our defensive work is solid and play is continuously brought back to the half way line. Finally a decision goes our way and they’re defending – but very effectively and we’re back once again to Half Way.
From a Stafford scum we bring the ball forward with some great work from our backs – then Novo’s intercept but luckily for us knock it forward for a scrum down near their 22.
Della wins us a lineout near Novo’s Try Line – Stafford maul it forward with a great surge from the forwards, it then comes back out to Della who strides forward and it goes down the line to Poppy who takes it over, Try to Stafford! Millie has taken quite a knock during this play but gets back to her feet with a smile and then, with the spectators (if not the team) aware that at this advanced stage of the game, these 2 points could be all difference, Della converts!
Novocastrians 10 – 17 Stafford
Novo kick off and well caught by Charlotte who doesn’t hesitate charging forward. Big tackles are still being made by both sides and then Liz powers forward into Novo’s half. Then Novo’s steal it and Rose manages to just catch a breaking player, knocking her into touch.
Stafford Lineout on the halfway line. Some plays from the training ground pushed Stafford further but something called from the ref gives Novo’s the scrum near their 22.
Massive scrum from Stafford and we win the ball – Mel again from the back runs it in and then Jess carries it on, and then Molly past the 22. There can’t be too long to go now, Stafford get it out down the Backs, Novo’s defend brilliantly but the Ref brings it back for a Stafford penalty. Rose picks it up and charges, gets near the Try Line but not quite, the rest of the forwards get stuck in rucking and Ruby shrugs off the tackles to get it over!
Novocastrians 10 – 22 Stafford
Dare we dream yet?
There’s certainly a growing confidence evident on the pitch as Novo’s kick off but now Stafford have it with Liz and she powers through several attempted tackles, carrying it into the relative safety of the opposition’s half. Safety is the word now as Tilly’s voice commands the pitch, directing the player’s to keep playing smart. As a result, nothing seems to be being taken for granted, from a Stafford scrum on the halfway line with Caitlin Felstead now playing scrum half she directs some clean play out to the backs – but Novo’s make a swift intercept and break – but Poppy is there again to slam into the attack.
Novo’s make another charge and the ball is held up on Stafford’s line. Scum down right on our try line and nervy moments for the parents and coaches as, once again, no one near me is exactly sure how long is left and a try for Novo’s now would surely make a nail-biting finish!
We win the scrum again though and Della kicks it up the field – fantastic pressure from our runners, Bea this time, forces the error and Novo’s knock on, Stafford scrum near the half way line. Tilly fires out more instructions and play slows down, another Stafford scrum. Our ball-carrying forwards push it forwards, the backs are right on their heels, Stafford are rucking well but Novo’s make one last charge. They were never going to get past Poppy, though.
And there goes the whistle!
I should have name-dropped every player today – there was not a single member of the team who didn’t absolutely shine, at some point (they can be quite difficult to see in the rucks!).
FULL TIME
Novocastrians 10 – 22 Stafford
CUP WINNERS!
Tears of joy from parents, beaming smiles from players and coaches – it definitely was not easy and I’m sure there will be some sore muscles tomorrow - massive thanks to all involved.
Early this morning, at a Travel Lodge on an industrial park on the outskirts of Newcastle, I said to Head Coach Gaz, “if it starts to look bad…..” to which he interrupted me and said “it won’t”. I think this was the moment I started to believe another Cup victory was possible and I believe this confidence carries over to the girls. Those that believe they can win, often do. Another great chapter for this team I feel very privileged to witness.
Back of the day – Poppy Dixon
Forward of the day – Mel Phillips
Dame of the Day – Rose White and the whole team!!!
Player of the day chosen by opposition – Tilly Owen – Hampton
Try’s scored:
Poppy Dixon – Hat Trick
Ruby West x 1
Team Sponsors
