Welwyn-Basford 5 Minutes From Glory!

In a truly pulsating National Cup final at Lichfield yesterday, the combined Welwyn-Basford side was a mere 5 minutes from winning an epic encounter, when Worcester's exceptional centre, Asskiss scored the match winning try and snatched away the cup that was so tantalisingly close to the maroon hoops grasp! It was a try worthy of winning any match, a 50 yard run past several missed tackles and put down under the posts. An easy conversion made the score 17-15 to Worcester but what a game we had!

Worcester roared into an early 5-0 lead and then went very close again 2 minutes later. Welwyn-Basford fought back and their forwards drove upfield steadily until finally Worcester cracked and skipper Natalie McClarnon scored to make it 5-5. Back came Worcester 10-5 and that was how it stayed until half time.

The Welwyn-Basford coaches gee'ed up the girls for a second half display that was exceptional. The tide was all flowing one way and another great forward drive saw Hannah Marques, playing the game of her life, score in the corner, 10 all. Still the Maroon hoops kept coming and Worcester were pinned in their own half for long periods. Another great bout of forward pressure saw Springbok Frankie Dawson race clear to give W-B a crucial 15-10 lead with 15 minutes to go. Worcester raised their game but the defence was holding until Asskiss went on that run. If you're going to take the lead in a cup final, with 5 minutes left is about as good a time as any.

The final whistle blew and the dream was over but in the years to come all the Welwyn-Basford girls can look at their medal and remember with pride the match they took part in. Team Manager Dave Marques knew it was a case of so near, yet so far! 'You know, for a while there, I thought we'd actually done it! I think had we been playing any other team, we would have but Worcester has such a classy back division, you know one slip and they'll make you pay. That Asskiss try was beautiful to watch though, as well as being painful! Next week is the Regional 10s at Petersfield and they still have the unresolved matter of the crucial Wimborne league fixture to settle.

'Still plenty to sort out in the next few weeks' said Coach Clive Cramphorn 'but, it was a real pleasure to be involved in a game like that. The true spirit of rugby shone through like a beacon and after the week we've just had, that was a real boost!'