05 - 13 Feb 10 - RAFRU(W) Inter-ServiceTraining

Clickhere to view Pre-IS Training Campphotos

The RAF Women’s team met togetherin February for a week long intensive training programme, designed to preparethem as a squad for the Inter-Service fixture, fast approaching in April. Theweek took place at Elms Farm barns in Boston, Lincolnshire.

Theweek stretched the ladies fitness through SAQ sessions in the morning, followedby intensive rugby training in the afternoons and individual skills in theevenings. Judo instructors were also brought in to develop the player’s abilitywithin the contact situation.

By the Wednesday playerswere looking forward to a break and a day down with Leicester Tigers; watchingtheir training was much appreciated by all. A big thank you goes out to theentire Leicester squad and management for allowing us to come down and observetheir session and take a look at the facilities they can offer playerscompeting at the higher levels. A number of positives were taken from thesession including the intensity at which the players performed at, for theduration of their training session. Everything was short and sharp enabling theplayers to stay focused and active for the entire session. This visit showedimmediate impact within the next few training sessions with the ladiesresponding well to new warm up styles and skills brought in by thecoaches.

At the end of the week the team were moved downto RAF Halton in preparation for their match against Old Albanians. To allowthe team some recovery time on the Saturday, after the week long training, alow ropes session was organised. This developed the team’s communication skillsand worked on their ability in overcoming challenges and optimising playersstrengths to overcome other weaknesses.

Thanks must be givento Flt Lt Di Bird and Cpl Julie Crole for organising the week, which not onlybenefitted the team in terms of preparation for the Inter-Service Fixtures, butwas also enjoyed byall.

14 Feb 10 - RAFRU(W)Vs Old Albanians – 0 - 24

Clickhere to view Old Albanians photos

TheOld Albanian’s (OA’s) game was always going to be a hard game, but a perfectpreparation tool for the upcoming Inter-Services matches. The girls came outfighting and wanting to put into practice all they had learnt during the week;however, a panicked start from the RAF Women allowed OA’s too much space torun, culminating in an early converted try for OA's as they ran straightthrough the centre of a ruck to score under the posts.

This was the wake up call the RAF Women needed to sort out their lines anddefence around the ruck and maul situation. The two teams continued to battleback and forth up the pitch. The OA’s team really stretched and tested the RAFWomen’s pack in the scrums and highlighted some weak areas for us to focus onin upcoming training sessions. Cpl Mandy Mitchell made some strong runs and Sgt‘Nickers’ Underwood kept the RAF Women out of the heat in our own twenty-two byaccurately kicking for touch and ground. However, the OA’s finally brokethrough the defence to score on the wing, which was unconverted. Leaving thehalf time score at 12-0.

A promising start showedthe RAF Women forcing the OA’s attacking play out to the wings however after anumber of onslaughts the RAF gave way allowing the OA’s their3^rd try, this time in the corner and unconverted. Whilststill struggling in the scrums, the forwards did well in the line outs with FltLt Helen Reade stealing some good ball for the team to run with as well aswinning the majority of their own.

Unfortunately a missedtackle in the centre cost the RAF another converted try but that was quicklyfollowed up by some great team play coming out from the back of a ruck on theright hand side, through the hands to Cpl Lou Redmond who made a strong run forthe line before passing off to Cpl Siobhan Davies who scored under the postsfor her first try for the RAF. This was converted by Flt Lt Katie Sharman inthe last 5 mins of the game.

A good, strong development game,which showed commitment and determination throughout.

Finalscore 24-7