05/05/2019
PULBOROUGH CLAIM BACK2BACK U18 NATIONAL CUP TITLES!!!
Pulborough coach Kelly Russell’s final words to the girls before the game were. “Finals footy.....nothing better! It’s time to step up, be bigger, aim higher, and hit harder then ever before...no ifs, buts or maybes......and definitely no regrets! Oh....and ENJOY the moment!
Pulborough came back from 10 points down to beat Mansfield 24-15 in the U18 Girls National Club final to claim the trophy for a second successive year, and the third time in four years!
Mansfield’s scrum half Bess Heath got her side off to the perfect start with a try inside the first three minutes. The conversion was missed by Heidi Seaton.
And they scored again just over 10 minutes later when the ball was spread wide to flanker Kendal Waudby who finished well to make it 10-0.
Pulborough were able to narrow the gap just before half time when a Mansfield clearance kick was collected by winger Emily Seehawong who charged down the wing to score a fantastic try in the corner and bring the score to 10-5 at the break.
And Pulborough took all the momentum into the second half, scoring through captain Jade Otene Henworth just three minutes in with Flo Robinson converting to give her side a 12-10 lead.
Seehawong showed another moment of magic after 42 minutes, running from inside her own half to score a brilliant try and give her side a 17-10 lead.
Mansfield responded when captain Georgina Tasker spotted a gap in Pulborough’s defence and dashed through to touch down.
But Pulborough proved to have too much for Mansfield in the end and Henworth got her second try after 64 minutes with Robinson converting to give them a 24-15 victory.
Pulborough club president Alex Steele and chairman Alan Nye both commented: “The whole Pulborough club are immensely proud of the girls! Once again this year we have been completely awestruck by the skills, running ability, physicality and intensity of the rugby the team has produced this season.”
🏆 2016 🏆 2018 🏆 2019