A difficult game but we never gave in trying.

Amber Valley certainly pulled on all their resources today.
Newark had to make last minute adjustments to the side and could only field 14 players for this second round semi final.
Three points up after the first game and starting confidently taking the ball on with pace and trying to spread the play around the pitch, manoeuvring the larger opposition pack around the pitch was our tactic and for the first 10 minutes AV knew they were in a game.
This was working well until we sustained an injury, and we were reduced further. AV capitalized on the space and quickly ran in a try.
This did not deter the confidence and determination of this newly formed team and again we started to move the ball around linking up the forwards and backs, but it seemed every time we lost the ball AV had the opportunity to find space and ran at our defence showing their experience, strength and speed out wide.
Newark women showed complete commitment and the returning injured player to the field showed how determined this side our to play for each other and stand side by side on the pitch.
Unfortunately for Newark this did not last very long, and we lost another player and with the returning player also had to go off again.
The 12 women left played with heart and fire and kept setting themselves goals every time they got together in a huddle.
Throughout the game Newark kept trying to throw the ball around and playing to the game plan, but eventually tiredness began to creep in, and the last 10 minutes told on them with AV running several tries.
A tremendous effort from the women today and everyone was proud of what they had achieved in this game. Even though the result says we were beaten well Amber Valley had to work extremely hard for this victory it wasn’t a given and with them having twenty-one players to rotate on an off throughout showed the effort our women put in today.
Positive moments from this game for the women to reflect on.
Handling is constantly improving even today in difficult conditions you tried and with more game time and experience who knows what you can achieve.
Defensive worked hard and tackling again is improving, commanding the connect area is difficult especially when playing against a side that have won the league above.
Amber Valley coach and captain were very complementary in the club house afterwards and stated “ It’s took 9 years for them to get where they are”.
The Referee said, “We had put in a great effort and pushed them to the end”.
The lineman (Ref from last week) quoted “If we keep developing, playing rugby as we are and learning we won’t be long before competing against these teams “.
All I can say is “The result looks as bad as the after-match meal, but it was better than it looks”.