Warriors Keep Their Championship ambitions alive!

Welwyn Warriors U18s kept their London & Surrey Premier League title dreams alive with a 40-15 victory over Solent Sirens yesterday at Hobbs Way. Still plagued by injuries, Warriors had to win this match as Sirens were unbeaten, had beaten the Pre-season favourites Wimborne and had an easy run in after this. Defeat would have meant Warriors would be looking at runners up at best.

Alex Robertson played her best ever match for Warriors, 3 solo tries in the first half hour, all converted, saw Warriors build a comfortable lead but Sirens were no pushovers and kept the Warriors defence at full stretch. Frankie Dawson & Hannah Marques in particular putting him big tackles, Dawson's of Samoan power at times! Late in the first half, Welwyn's injury hoodo struck again when pivotal player, Sophie Tyler was carried off with a serious knee injury and sportingly, Sirens lent Warriors players to make up the shortfall. The half time team talk inspired Sirens & the Solent pressure told and an unconverted try made it 21-5 early in the second half. Warriors now faced a red & white tide as Sirens battered away, camping in the Warriors half. Warriors held fast & from a quick penalty skipper Hannah Gallagher outwitted the Sirens defence and set up Robertson for her 4th try. 28-5. Now the momentum swung back to Welwyn and the pressure was all maroon & blue. Warriors thought they had a 5th try but it was ruled held up. From the resulting 5 metre scrum huge forward play saw scrum Half Casey Shluts score. 35-5.

A late solo try for Skipper Gallagher made it 40-10 and a late surge by Sirens saw them score a well deserved second try to make the final score 40-15. It was an emotional day for Emily Matuszczyk, it was almost 3 years to the day of the anniversary of the untimely death of her father Bob. Emily played this match for him and what a performance she put in. Head Coach Clive Cramphorn was so proud of her. 'Em was a bit emotional but went out to play the match for her dad and I can't recall seeing her play that well! Total commitment and effort, she was a star!'. Assistant coach Gallagher felt Warriors were now playing their best ever rugby. 'What we saw at Wimborne before Christmas and here today tell me this team is now really in the groove. Tries scored are through good teamwork, providing the space and opportunity for our girls to score from anywhere. Ema Burgess, Geri Thomas, Hannah Smith, Marquesy & Frankie give us a great forward pack. Tia Arberry & Charlie Simms on the wings give us options across the field and with Megan Williams back from South Africa, we're pretty much at full strength, the rest of the season will be very interesting!'