Match Reaction - Final performance was my favourite says Skipper McPherson

Victorious REME captain LCpl Emily McPherson revealed the 15-12 Corps Championship final win against Royal Logistics Corps was her favourite game since taking up the sport.

After a frustrating season in which they only played one league game – a 36-15 success against the Royal Artillery back in September – REME were bolstered by players from the Royal Engineers and Royal Signals to help get what proved to be a gripping encounter on.

Having fallen 7-0 behind to a LCpl Conn try converted by Pte Pinch, REME struck back as Maj Annika Willis crossed the whitewash and McPherson slotted a penalty before the break.

She then added the extras to a Cpl Earnshaw score, and despite Pte India King giving RLC hope, the runners-up could not complete the comeback.

LCpl McPherson said: “It was my favourite game of all three seasons I’ve played – it was hard, but I prefer it like that. I feel like we’ve earned it.

“The RLC are the team to beat in the league and they brought a lot to the game, so we’re very happy.

“It feels great. Throughout the season we haven’t often had a full team, so the fact we had a full one, including subs, means I’m delighted.”

Explaining how a frustrating campaign had ended on a high, she continued: “At the moment everyone’s a bit low on numbers for women’s rugby – it’s been hard to get fixtures in general.

“Throughout the season we have limited games and some of those can be postponed because of numbers, so it’s hard to get continuous play.

“It means sometimes we’re lumped together, but we make the most of it and it’s worked out well – as long as everyone can have a game I don’t think it matters what Corps you’re from.

“The fact we pulled together the quality of rugby together when we don’t play together often, we did it off two days of training, was great.”

And her joy at playing in a hard-fought contest meant Emily fought through injury in the second half, admitting: “I twisted my knee, but I didn’t want to not finish and was happy to play through the pain. I just had to grin and bear it!”

Words © Richard Ashton

All images – Alligin Photography © Andrew Fosker

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