Esher V Mermaids

Final score: Mermaids 3 - Esher 36

A full match report will be posted as soon as possible but in the interim:

A very tough game against a very strong team. Unfortunately we were let down by a number of players who said they were coming and then never bothered to let us know that they had changed their minds. We only had 15 players on the day, one of whom - Tara Griffiths - had never played rugby before and in fact had only attended one training session - she thought she would just have a 10 minute try out on the pitch but bravely played for the whole match - Well Done Tara. Other players who joined the Mermaids for the day: Bethan & Elin Lloyd Jones (Bangor), Cara Bryan (Oswestry), Suzie Walker and Tara Griffiths (Llangollen), Charlotte Pirie (Pwllheli) and Jess McAuley (Coleg Meirion Dwyfor).

As usual the Mermaids were in second gear for the first 15 minutes, by which time Esher had capitalised on the mistakes and handling errors and scored 21 points. The Mermaids then began to play rugby and were very impressive in the scrum but, due to lack of match experience, fared badly in the line outs. Jess McAuley looked to be in perfect position to score a try but keeled over with an ankle injury and had to sit out the rest of the game. The game was further interrupted by injuries to 2 of the Esher girls in a scrum and they were taken to the local hospital to be checked out. The game was moved to another pitch while the girls were being dealt with and Ellen Jones scored 3 much needed points for the Mermaids with a penalty.

After the match there was much laughter and singing in the clubhouse before the Esher girls set off, first to pick up their strays at the hospital, then for the long trek back to Surrey.