Ealing Jades played their second friendly of season 2010/11 against London Metropolitan Police at Ealing TFSC. With both squads introducing new players to their teams and with various players playing at new positions we relished the challenges that lay ahead.
Ealing Jades kicked off to what proved to be excellent game, the first 15 minutes proved an intense and exciting game with excellent rucking by the Jades, outstanding handling skills and a great deal of “go forward ball.”
The Metropolitan Police were no easy opposition and their fly half kicked some great ball to gain them a lot of ground. However, Ealing Jades remained determined with some great “crash ball” taken in by the pack with Vice Captain, Nicky Dent at no.8, gaining a lot of ground over the game ball line with her determination and support from the pack.
Due to the poor weather conditions scrums were unavoidable at times and Hannah Murphy proved an invaluable pack member with her debut for the Ealing Jades at no.5. Along side her in the scrum was Sophia Carter, this was her second game for Ealing Jades and she played very well in her new position as open side flanker, with great driving in the mauls, fantastic “go forward ball” and solid body positioning in the rucks.
The Ealing Jades proved tough opposition for the Met Police in the scrums and won a lot of ball giving Captain and Scrum half, Liz Garvey, plenty of opportunity to run the ball in the backs. Natasha Holmes made a welcome return to fly half setting up some great moves in the backs, giving Stacie Casciani the opportunities to make some great moves, driving through opposition and down the pitch. With fantastic support from open side winger Anne-Marie Rand and inside centre Rachel Snell.
It was Yvette Burton’s crash through on a penalty move that took us 5 nil up, which was nicely follwed by her conversation which took us to 7 points just before half time.
The second half saw the Met Police fight back but it was a tough game as Ealing Jades’ defence was flat and the strong, with excellent communication skills up and down the line ensuring the Met had no gaps through which to play. With a strong defensive line and tackling done “pod style” with Jades going in for the attack the Met had to work very hard . It was their kicking game that punted the ball into Ealings 22 and a quick chase allowing the Jades’ ‘borrowed’ player Abby Nduva to score and allow an equalisation taking the score to a steady 7 all.
Overall Ealing Jades showed great determination and fantastic rugby with progress obvious since their game a week earlier. If we can progress so much in one week then our opposition in this forthcoming season best watch out!
Ealing dominated possession and spent a majority of the game in the oppositions territory, however were unable to translate that into points on the board. White-line fever got the better of us, and time and time again we came so close, only to be robbed at the last.
Since they were promoted this last season, there has been a flurry of transfer activities that has seen many new faces arrive at Hyde Lane as they look to strengthen.
Ealing Director of Rugby Mike Cudmore said "When you have a lead and lose it, it is always disappointing. Our control in the second half was not as efficient as the first and that put us under pressure. We had opportunities in the second half to put Southend under pressure but did not complete these. In time we will look back and probably feel two points is a good result" .
Skipper Ben Ward said "Going away in this league is always tough. Mentally you have to be very focused and switched on. We are improving each week and building nicely. Taunton will provide another stern test and challenge for this team. We will be looking to work hard in training this week to prepare us for the weekend where we will be looking to pick up more points on the road".
