Forwards: Lucy Maylor, Lola Fray, Grace Baird (Captain), Jess Rowlands, Yvonne Stewart, Shannon Inglis, Sarah Atherton, Kate Maylor.

Backs: Jennie Fasolino, Scarlett Harkin, Tanya Jordan, Tina Millan (Vice-Captain), Sam Wills-Eve, Becky Solan.

Forward of the Match: Kate Maylor
Back of the Match: Scarlett Harkin
Collegiate’s player of the match: Becky Solan

It’s definitely been a busy few weeks for Wirral Warriors as we continue our “inner warrior challenge” league campaign. Despite a series of unfortunate illnesses and injuries, Wirral’s depleted squad have worked tirelessly this month; training in all weathers, video analysing our latest matches and making excellent progress with learning and perfecting our set plays. For a team established less than three years ago, I cannot express how exceptional it is to see this team grow in skill and knowledge week by week. Long may it continue.

The 16th November saw the Warriors lace up their boots and make the short journey over the water to Liverpool Collegiate. Some extreme weather conditions initially left our second league fixture looking doubtful, but in true warrior fashion, the sun came out in the end and we took to the pitches in an early Saturday afternoon kick off.

The first five minutes saw a speedy collegiate attack, with clever pod work breaking the warriors defence. Despite clever attacking play from the opposition and a relentless forwards drive which saw a try held up by myself, warriors held strong and a stolen line out deep into our own half would offer a break for speedy inside centre Tina Millan to break the line and put us ahead.

Despite the eventual scoreline, this was definitely not an easy game, and a special note should go to our forwards pack, with a shout out to Yvonne Stewart and Shannon Inglis as they took to new positions, who showed exceptional strength and determination to continuously turn over rucks and defend solid attacking play.

Two tries in quick succession for fierce scrum half Jennie Fasolino would extend Warriors lead before winger Sam Wills-Eve displayed some excellent supportive play and was rewarded with making it four for wirral. A quick break by Tanya Jordan took it to five just shy of half time, before Tina Millan scored another two in the second half. All tries were expertly kicked between the sticks by Becky Solan.

It would be fair to say that this game was a real test of our resilience, especially as most of our team were playing out of position in order to support a very depleted squad. Despite this, there were incredible runs, textbook tackles and clever backs play displayed from the very start. This victory only highlights our determination to support each other and ensure that we get out onto that pitch, no matter what the circumstances are.

Every week these girls make me so proud, in victory and defeat. The scoreline, to me, will never reflect the passion, energy and togetherness that this team displays week in and week out both on and off the pitch.

Hopefully our first league win of many this season, let’s see what happens next!
Grace Baird
Warriors Captain

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