PORTSMOUTH VALKYRIES VS RICHMOND IMPALAS
15th February
2009
Portsmouth 5 – 22 Richmond
III’s
Try
Scorer – Syndee Storey (Centre)
Portsmouth Valkyries came
away with a bonus point from their latest tussle with
Richmond Impalas despite losing at home to a petulant London
side.
Portsmouth’s strength and
depth of experience held the score against the league
leaders at 22-5, which is a significant improvement on some
of the results on the Valkyries 08/09 score sheets. There
was a more definite feeling of readiness within the
Portsmouth camp straight from kick-off for perhaps the first
time this season – a sign that the squad is more settled
despite the on-going of not having a head coach.
Straight down to business and
fast out of the blocks, Portsmouth ran some creative and
determined lines to attempt to cut through the Richmond
defensive line. The opening quarter of the match saw a
Richmond side knocking on repeatedly, though the Portsmouth
scrum was failing to take advantage of so many of their own
scrums.
Portsmouth created a text book piece of work after retaining their own ball at the
scrum in the home end, playing simple set-piece rugby,
manoeuvring the ball to dynamic centre and Back of the Match
Syndee Storey who was given space to storm up the wing from
the Portsmouth 22, to land the first try of the game.
Although sadly not converted, this put the bit between
Portsmouth’s teeth to continue their relentless pressure and
put Richmond on the back foot.
Portsmouth’ s good work at
the line outs created space for the side to try and once
again penetrate the Richmond line, but were unable to
capitalise on further handling errors and gaps in the
defence. Richmond took the threat to their score line
seriously and embarked upon a game plan involving dirty
tactics and controversial play, despite pulling two tries
and a conversion back.
The experienced combination
of fly half Nicola Underwood and scrum half Mandy Mitchell
was instrumental to the superb performances put in by the
backs this match, though there was outrage on the pitch
following a delightful chip ‘n’ chase move Mitchell created
over the heads of an attacking line from Richmond. 8 metres
from try line and a Richmond player decided that this was
not what they had in mind, promptly taking down Mitchell
with a punch to the face.
Further controversy followed
as the referee missed the offence, though awarding
Portsmouth with a penalty for another unrelated off-side
offence. This was subsequently turned over due to an
impassioned dialogue from Underwood. Charmian “Chumps”
Williams took over the scrum half mantel and had a
successful debut in the position.
The second half saw much of
the same action as the first, with Richmond’ discipline
issues sliding further with vigorous stamping, deliberate
off-side offences and “killing” of the ball at rucks and
mauls. Portsmouth were frustratingly still unable to
capitalise on the penalties and free-kicks awarded however,
yet there was inspirational place kicking arriving from the
boot of Underwood which will be interesting to see how this
punishes the remaining teams in the league.
An excellent debut from new
recruit from the RAF Diana Bird at prop, alongside Navy
recruit Abbie, strengthened the front row and improved the
scrum for Portsmouth which was instrumental in a Portsmouth
turn around of play and earning themselves Forward(s) of the
Match. Further injury was obtained later by stalwart no.8
Karen Honeygold and was replaced by lock Lesley Harden who
enjoyed the freedom of the back row for the remainder of the
match.
Captain Sophie Exton was
thrilled with the teams’ performance and stated that if the
squad can take the way they played against the league
leaders and use it for the rest of the season, the Valkyries
should be back on the way up. This weekend’s away fixture at
Teddington – who are one place above us in the SE1 league –
is crucial for the ladies. Two highly upbeat training
sessions this week as provided some excellent moral boosting
for the squad and bodes well for the Valkyries. Watch this
space for further developments…
