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A great day to be blue and white!

In an attempt to spice up this rugby-less autumn (since we didn’t make the play offs) we spent the day at Årstafältet for a training session and a friendly game. Uppsala got to be a part of history in the making when new-ish and tv-famous club Berserkers from Stockholm fielded a 15’s ladies team in a game for the very first time. Both teams consisted of a small core of experienced players and a majority of newbies, so the ref of the day was extra clear about rules and might also have let a few details slip without blowing the whistle.

We started before lunch with a couple of handling drills before splitting forwards and backs to practice essential things such as scrums, line outs and back line defense. We also had time for a touch team run before lunch was served. A player from the Berserkers men’s team had graciously signed up to be in charge of the bbq, and those burgers were almost too nice to be served right before a game!

The game was to be played 3x20 minutes, and Uppsala kicked off the first third with the sun in their eyes. It didn’t take long until it was time for the first scrum of the game, a rite of passage for any new forward. The scrum technique of both teams might still lack a certain je ne sais quoi, but it went pretty well today for everyone involved. The first points of the game came after a few minutes when a very eager Amanda boshed her way over the line five metres outside the left post. Try was converted by todays captain Devine (an awesome super hero name btw) and Uppsala were in the lead 7-0. The game was fairly unorganised at times, and allowed for sneaky flankers like Malin P to take full advantage of it (you know, one of those small ones with nifty footwork that will stick their head in a pile of people and suddenly can be seen nipping round the blind side with ball in hand). Another try for Uppsala was scored by Josefin before the first third was over, but the conversion wasn’t long enough and the girls in blue and white went into water break with a 12-0 lead.

The second third showed some good communication and great phases of play from both teams. It was obvious that Berserkers strengths lay with their pack, and heavy running or pick n’ go’s down the middle made Uppsala work hard in defense. The home team showed great levels of aggression but weren’t quick enough out on the sides of the pitch when the Uppsala back line got their game going. Rookie Malin L put her long legs to use twice after great passing out to the right, and managed to score two tries in her first game ever, one converted with a sassy drop kick from Isolde. Malin P darted through and round the defence on the left side, sprinting half the pitch to score her first try for Uppsala, a try also converted by captain Devine. After a series of pick n’ go’s on the five metre line (despite space out left and right) stand in scrum half Lene decided enough is enough and went over herself. On a high because of this successful comeback after knee surgery she also converted the try before anyone had time to stop her.

The third third didn’t see any points either way, just a lot of tackling. The game was cut short because of a neck injury on an Uppsala front row, and the ref blew for full time after only 10 minutes, making the final score 38-0 to Uppsala. (The ref however has only noted 5 tries for us, but everyone involved is pretty certain of the tries they scored themselves. Luckily, today, it doesn’t matter too much.) Bonnie was taken to hospital for a check up, but is now reported to be both okay and home, albeit a bit sore.

The Uppsala ladies were lucky to have a contribution of players from Enköping today, both new and experienced faces, which made it possible to play 15 a side (not to mention that they scored 12 points for us). Hope to see you soon again! Over all a great day (apart from injuries), very friendly atmosphere and fair play on the pitch, bright sunshine and hopefully a thing or two learned by everyone.

SQUAD:

1 Bonnie Peterson

2 Betty Ehnvall

3 Cilla Burebrink *

4 Sandra Ekström

5 Emma Selander

6 Malin Peterson

7 Josefin Devine (C)

8 Angela Woolley

9 Anna Thorsell

10 Johanna Boström

11 Matilda Grawé

12 Isolde Limé

13 Malin Ljungblad

14 Olivia Arnsäter

15 Sara Sundler

16 Amanda Jaredal *

17 Lene Lykke-Olesen *

18 Erika Thörne *

19 Moa Olsson *

 * Borrowed players