Bolton RUFC’s Amazons girls hosted the first Northern Girls Network ‘Aspire Inspire’ event of the season on Sunday.
The event provides an opportunity for under-14 and U16 girls from all over the North West to come together at one venue to play rugby.
And Amazons had surprise guests Hollie Bawden, from Sale Sharks, and Kath Baverstock, from Loughborough Lightning, to help coach them through the games.
The pair stressed the importance of tackling in pairs, being first to the breakdown, and supporting the ball carrier.
The Amazons U14s’ first game was against the NW Roses - a combined team made up of clubs from around the North West.
Bolton’s girls did exactly what they were told to do, supporting their players when running into contact and showing powerful defensive work.
The first line-break came from Iona Barnes, who secured the first try of the game and converted her own try.
Strong runs from Betty Weall and Erin Shaw came soon after, and one of these runs resulted in a try when Betty offloaded to Aisha Abdi, who took the ball over the line.
The girls worked hard in defence, only conceding one try from the opposition. Other outstanding tries came from Erin, Bridget Stone, and another from Aisha. All tries were converted and the final score was 35-5.
The second game was against a combined team of Eccles and Glossop.
Holly Turner, Bridget and Phillipa Irving worked hard at the breakdowns to make the defensive side stronger.
Another break from Iona, using footwork around the opposition, led to another try. The ball was passed fluently down the backline, to Aisha who danced around the defence and over the line.
Another bounding break from vice-captain Betty and a little pop pass to captain Holly saw the latter dive over the line for another try.
A second try came for Aisha came soon after, and the final score came from the line-break from Erin, who was tackled just short of the line before Eve Barrow, playing scrum-half, made the decision to pick and go down the blind side and dive for the line.
The final score was 29-10 to Bolton
Throughout both games Eilidh Burns and Sophie Stone provided some great supportive play. Eloise Ryder had a last-minute change of playing position due to illness and took on the role of hooker, while Ellie Winn showed she is growing in confidence in her tackles and this will get better and better each week.
To end the afternoon off, Bawden and Baverstock awarded Aisha a scarf in Sale Sharks colours, naming her as their standout player of the day.
Holly and Betty also got a special mention for their strong hits and great defensive work and Iona for her excellent kicking on what was a successful day at Avenue Street.
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