Imperial Away (14-12 loss)

Coming so close yet so far is always the worst, and when a scoreline doesn't go your way based only on a conversion it is a painful memory. Traveling out to near Heathrow for the match and then not quite managing the result we wanted made Sunday long for KCLWRFC. The match was definitely one of two halves. Dominating for the first 35 minutes, playing the majority of it in their 22 led to the first try from sheer hard work, brute force and determination. This game felt physical with a lot play being forward balls so the fact that our first try came from our captain Harriet was no surprise. Unfortunately the calls made surrounding the rucks weren't going our way so a lot of opportunities weren't able to be capitalized on and the number of penalties and scrums became frustrating for all. However our defence for this part of the game was on point and the energy throughout the team was evident. The second try came in quick succession, and when I say that I mean literally straight after! Lilly controlled it from the restart and ran the rest of the length of the pitch to place it down between the posts making the conversion easy enough this time round. A short lapse in concentration 5 minutes to the end of the first half led to Imperial's comeback try between the posts making the score at half time 12-7.

With the game this close the second half was always going to be make or break. The forwards have probably never scrummaged so much in their lives and with injuries and absentees meaning there were some players out of position I'm sure everyone was exhausted (and in pain today!). Imperial's second try came from a charged down kick from us which bounced perfectly for their player to score between the posts unfortunately allowing the conversion to be made as well. It did seem that we lost some motivation in the second half, something that will be addressed in future, but with a bit of a mish mash of players and only one sub the scoreline shows out overall resilience. Imperial's scrums were strong and the match was well fought from both sides resulting into a very close game. Unlucky KCLWRFC, onto the next one!

Notable Mentions:

Try Scorers - Harriet Orrell (C) & Lilly Hunt (1 + 1 conversion)

Forward of the match - Anna MacDonald

Back of the match - Lilly Hunt

Dick of the day - MArtin Burke (our forwards coach, who proceeded to throw up after downing his pint as he still hadn't gone to bed from his night out before