Team:
Paige Davies
Hayley Ellis
Eloise Dorey
Swyn Lewis
Rebecca Broadway
Cara Hope
Kaya Harding
Rhian Pritchard
Emily McMullen
Rachael Edwards
Iona Evans (Nant Conwy)
Alaw Hughes (Caernarfon)
Eurgain Llwyd (Nant Conwy)
Elin Royle (Nant Conwy)
Megan Parry (Bro Ffestiniog)
Sara Williams (Nant Conwy)
Head Coach: Louis Tilakawardane
Forwards Coach: Kumari Tilakawardane
Match 1 – vs Cardiff Quins
Captain: Cara Hope
Final Score: Cardiff Quins 22 Mermaids 0
A rusty start by the Mermaids, playing against a well organised team. The absence of match practice and fitness showed. The Mermaids competed for the first 5 minutes but the Quins pulled away with a display of well organised rugby. The Mermaids missed tackles and were frequently caught out of position. However despite the gloomy dawn, rays of light were showing through in Rhian Pritchard, Cara Hope, Hayley Ellis and newcomers Emily McMullen and Becca Broadway. Rhian & Cara in particular excelled in throwing tackle after tackle at the Quins. Swyn Lewis and Sara Williams played very well showing that there was much to hope for in the days to come.
Match 2 – vs Cynon Valley
Captain: Hayley Ellis
Final Score: Cynon Valley 22 Mermaids 0
If the Mermaids were trounced by the well organised game of the Quins, individual performances by Cynon Valley players caused havoc amongst the rusty Mermaids. The second break away try by Cynon Valley was a masterpiece of controlled football with the ball kicked all the way past the grabbing hands of the Mermaids. Tackles were missed; the organisation still not good enough to stop Cynon Valley. However, the Mermaids began to assert some control. They had learned the lesson of playing too often in their territory and attempting a run and pass game which caused the problems of the first fixture. Good tactical kicking by Alaw Hughes and Iona Evans allowed Mermaids to venture closer to the opposition try line. Good leadership by Hayley Ellis showing the way ball in hand made forays into the opposition half but the Mermaids were unable to breach the Cynon Valley defence. Again, Rhian Pritchard, Emily McMullen and Cara Hope put in a sterling performance. Rachael Edwards too started showing promise by making forays, side stepping past the gain line. Eloise Dorey began to punch holes in the opposition defence by a fabulous display of power driving to get past the gain line time and again. Eurgain Llwyd had an excellent game playing at 9. She showed skill and imagination in getting the ball out from the set pieces and when necessary running with purpose. However the rustiness of the Mermaids still showed but the passion and the organisation was beginning to appear.
Match 3 – vs Newport
Captain: Rhian Pritchard
Final Score: Mermaids 12 Newport 0
A lunch break and focussed discussion amongst the team members created a desire to show results for this venture into the south. The team they were up against included some big names of Welsh junior rugby and some whose skill and talent had led them to Welsh national sides.
The Mermaids were led for this last match by Rhian Pritchard. She was given this honour for the indomitable manner in which she played, the way she was fearless in defence and tireless in trying to carve out a platform for attack in the previous two matches. As the game began the team showed some wonderful interactions between players. The leading roles were taken by Cara Hope and Hayley Ellis. Kaya Harding playing at 9 seemed to have woken from a slumber and began to do the things around the scrum that she had done last season. Eurgain Llwyd playing now on the wing showed dazzling speed and linked up with the others. The Mermaids made purposeful moves for the first time that day. The forwards combined well, with Cara, Hayley Eloise, Becca, Swyn, Sara, Megan Parry all picking the ball and driving at the opposition. Iona Evans kicked, Alaw Hughes carried the ball. Emily McMullen controlled and passed the ball with assuredness.
Rachael Edwards however was the first to score for the day, collecting the ball and sidestepping three or four of the Newport backs to break through at the end and score a wonderful try. The second try was a good move with forwards and backs combining well, Kaya Harding looping to link with Eurgain Llwyd who danced through the defence to score under the post. Eurgain converted the try.
This was the signal for the Mermaids to come alive. All 16 players were rotated adroitly by Kumari managing the forwards and Cameron mixing the backs. All played with equal courage and tenacity carving out waves of phased play when attacking and tackling fiercely and effectively in defence. They contained a heavier faster Newport team with determined tackles. Cara Hope was all over the park in defence. However, the moment of the match was yet to come. Finally it seemed Newport had finally broken through and would deprive the Mermaids of a clean sheet. Rhian Pritchard, playing on the left wing, streaked all the way down the pitch to perform a perfect tackle yards from the right corner flag, bringing down the player and knocking the ball forward. The Mermaids won the scrum and again danced back into Newport territory and safety.
The afternoon ended on this happy note. The cobwebs have been partly cleared. The only regret is that had there been greater numbers and commitment to training in the pre season a better display at the tournament would have been possible. As it is we have shown what the Girls from the North are capable of. Let’s hope we live the promise through the remainder of the season.
Player of the tournament: Rhian Pritchard
The U18 Mermaids would like to thank Cameron McMullen for his invaluable help on the day.
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