Army Senior Women’s head coach, WO2 Sarah Mitchelson (RLC), says that Friday night’s win over Brunel University has given the playing group its baseline as the 2023 Inter-Services Championship approaches.
Brunel stepped in to provide opposition to the red shirts following a late withdrawal by the week’s originally scheduled opponents, Bath. The game may have then switched to home turf in Aldershot, but the shift to Friday night also reduced preparation time by 24 hours. Nevertheless, the Army went about their business, Sgt Louise Dodd (QARANC) getting them on their way with a crash over from close range.
Pte Courtney Pursglove (RLC) was next, popping up on SSgt Carrie Roberts’ (REME) shoulder to finish a long-range effort, with Gnr Jess McAuley (RA) and Sgt Dodd also scoring in the first half.
Gnr McAuley raced home for her second of the night in the third quarter, followed by Gnr Amy Carr (RA). The pick of the tries came next, with 2Lt Gilmour (RE) rounding off a long-range attack with a break from 40 metres. And the winger turned provider for the final score of the night, LCpl Partington (RAMC) hitting an offload at pace to take her to the whitewash and complete a 50-0 win.
“It was at exactly the right intensity,” commented WO2 Mitchelson. “We were calm and composed, putting together some nice phases of play.
“The game has given us a perfect baseline of where we now need to work on and build from there.”
With game time at a premium before the Army takes on the RAF at Kingsholm, getting the most out of training weeks is also important, and in this area WO2 Mitchelson was happy with the week as a whole.
“It was deliberately tough and we got through some fantastic intense training sessions,” she said, “and the team showed great physical and mental resilience.”
WO2 Mitchelson also paid tribute for the way that Brunel stepped in to fill the breach left by Bath having pulled out of Saturday’s scheduled fixture with a couple of days’ notice, adding: “Huge thanks goes to Steve and the Brunel University team for stepping up for us.
“The squad is pleased that Brunel could also take a lot away from the game. We hope to work together again soon for more opposed training sessions in the build-up to Inter-Services.”
Meanwhile in the Premier 15s, Spr Lauren Brooks (RE) played the full 80 minutes for Harlequins as they got back to winning ways in a trip to Sale’s Heywood Road. Harlequins fell behind to an early converted try, and trailed 14-10 at the break. But they took control with tries in the 48th and 53rd minutes and went on to win 31-21.
Tickets for the 2023 Inter-Services Championship are now on sale.
CLICK HERE for information about the Army v RAF at Kingsholm, Gloucester, on Saturday, April 15th.
CLICK HERE for information about Army Navy at Twickenham on Saturday, May 13th.
Words © New Dogs, Old Tricks
Header and Featured Images – Alligin Photography © Lee Crabb
