Worthing Warriors were missing a number of key players through injury for their third match of the season, but a confident squad with new and experienced players started the game (captained by Rachel Ferris), with Sirens kicking off. An immediate scrum to Sirens off a Warriors’ knock on, led to Sirens attacking left, only to knock on and allow Warriors a breather. However, Sirens won possession back, and fast play resulted in them scoring an unconverted try.
After the restart with a Warriors scrum (then a line out), the play moved right then left, and Lauren Owens scored a swift unconverted try on the 14 minute. With the score at 5-5, a penalty to Sirens allowed them to build pressure through the backs, scoring again (unconverted) on 24 minutes despite a huge Warriors defensive play! Warriors now responded well, with Rhiannon Johnson calling plays, and pressure was put back on Sirens, with good handling and support play. Scrum half Nicola Rugman (‘Ruggers’) playing her first full game at no. 9 stood out with her management and passing away from the breakdown against a strong opponent. A knock on however gave Sirens a scrum, which allowed them back up field to score a converted try just before half-time. The score was 5-17 at the break.
Warriors restarted the second half. Sirens won a scrum on their 22 metre line, and a Sirens up field kick was caught on the right wing, and a try was scored on 41 mins. Warriors fought back hard, and despite some injuries and replacements coming on, broke through Sirens on numerous occasions with good passages of play from the whole team. Emmy White-Moncrieff, Rebecca Green, Lauren Owens, Lauren Taylor, and Crystal Brown standing out as Warriors pushed hard, operating well as a unit and loud touchline support giving encouragement! Sirens defended with difficulty under this pressure, and after some minutes of back and forth play, and a yellow card from the Sirens they managed to push into Warriors 22 metre area. Although Warriors gained possession, Sirens were able to win crucial possession back and with momentum scored two further tries late in the game with one conversion.
The final score was 5-35. A physical well fought match saw Sirens through to round 2. The Warriors were committed, focused, and able to pick up a lot of positives as a team against a well drilled Sirens side. Warriors forward of the match was Emmy White-Moncrieff, back of the match was Nicola Rugman and player of the match Leanne Lampard.
Warriors next home match is Seaford on the 22nd October at 2pm. All are welcome to come along and watch the game and will be held at Worthing Rugby Club, Roundstone Lane, BN16 4AX. The team has had an amazing number of new players recently and continues to welcome new people to the team. If you are interested in playing rugby, new and experienced, please get in contact with Rebecca Green through WFRC or through their social pages, @worthingwarriorsrfc