Middlesex Leopards 13th Dec

After a defeat to Middlesex previously in the season, Sarries/Letchworth were raring and ready to go for the return match at Bramely Road. The beginning of the match was closely contested, both sides aware of the others strengths, and fighting for the opening try. The deadlock was finally broken when we scored under the posts from a scrum 10m out. The Leopards stormed back with a break-away try to equalise the score soon after. But we were in no mood to back down, and after a succession of attacks managed to force our way over the line to go into half time leading 10-5. With 2 tries under our belts, Sarries/Letchworth took the game to Middlesex in the second half. Every girl battled hard and we scored 3 more tries to win the game 27-5.

The U15's were again in good scoring form. Sarries/Letchworth played an open flowing game, taking the lead early on, and maintaining the advantage throughout. Final score 32-15 to Sarries/Letchworth.

NLD County Festival

8 Sarries/Letchworth played in the Hertfordshire U18's squad on Sunday 6th. Herts won the festival without conceding a point in a brilliant day of rugby.

Pool Stages

Herts 31 - 0 East Mids (Claire Shutler x2, Jess Robinson, Chloe Baker)

Herts 12 - 0 Staffs

Herts 41 - 0 NLD (b) (Hannah Winfield, Alice Nee)

Herts 17 - 0 Yorkshire (Claire Shutler)

Final

Herts 3 - 0 NLD (a)

Sarries/Letchworth Vs Bucks Jesters

Our game on Sunday 29th was against Bucks Jesters who we had previously played - and lost to - a few weeks ago at chesham. The horrible weather returned and so the match was played in a downpour.

Bucks Jesters were short on props so the whole match was played with uncontested scrums. The first half was a balanced fight, with jesters taking an early lead through an unconverted try. Sarries/Letchworth responded with a great backs move putting chloe over, and an 80 metre breakaway try from Claire down the left wing, converting them both. Jesters hacked through to sccore two tries before half time.

The conditions worsened in the second half, and Jesters managed to pressure us into mistakes in slippery conditions scoring a further three tries before the final whistle. Final score 14 - 40.

Sarries/Letchworth Vs Bedford/Amptill

Sarries/Letchworth took on Bedford/Amptill on Sunday in the first friendly of the season - supposedly. For the first time the team really gelled and put on an outstanding performance. Sarries/Letchworth scored early on, and kept on the attack throughout the four quarters. It was a fantastic game, and Bedford/Amptill strived to make us work hard for every try. In the end, after an amazing team performance, Sarries/Letchworth ran in 9 tries for a convincing 55-0 win.

The 15's also played a fantastic game which was keenly contested. The team performance was again outstanding and they won 42 -10.

U18's Scorers: Jess (4), Chloe (2), Claire (2), Jade, Claire (5 conv)

U15's Scorers: CJ (4), Sydney (2), Mel, Ellah, Sydney (1 conv)

Sarries/Letchworth Vs Bucks Jesters

Unfortunately i wasn't there, but the match write up:

Sunday 1st November, in the pouring rain Sarries/Letchworth played Bucks Jesters in the league. Bubbles stepped up to scrum half and Nikki took on the kicking duties in my absence. It was wet, windy, and the ball was slippy, so it was not a great day for backs. Jesters took it to us in the rucks and were rewarded with 2 break away tries in the first half. Sarries/Letchworth raised their game in the second half with the wind in their favour and battled hard in the forwards. Unfortunatley they were unable to convert the pressure to points, and Jesters scored a third break away try midway through the half. Not through lack of effort, the final score was 0-15 to Jesters. Well done for taking it to the final whistle girls.

Sarries/Letchworth Vs Middlesex

Sunday 4th was a rainy day at Grasshoppers, and a great game against Middlesex that we dominated. The first half was fairly even, but two breakaway tries from the wing gave Middlesex a 14-0 lead at half time. The second half was a one way game, and Sarries/Letchworth were camped on the Middlesex tryline for most of the half. Unfortunately we couldn't convert the pressure to points, although the forwards did amazingly well to drive the ball over the line twice, and the backs had the ball held up 3 times. The backs ran line after line, the forwards pushed and battled on, and Sarries/Letchworth were finally rewarded with a try when Alice broke through to score. The girls fought to the final whistle, but were denyed time and time again by a great Middlesex defensive effort. Despite the disapointment of the loss, it was a great team effort, and every girl gave their all to the end. Well done =) Final Score 5-14.

Sarries/Letchworth Vs Berks Babaas

Our first match was probably one of the hardest of the season, and as the first time playing together as a cluster, the girls did amazingly well. It was a hot sunny day, and this reflected on the pitches which were hard and dusty, but the girls fought hard and played an awesome match. The U18's, in the red and black Sarries shirts, played hard from the start. Sarries/Letchworth took the game to Berks from the off, but were denied an early score by a great defensive effort from the home side, who soon broke through the defensive lines to take an early lead with a well worked try. Sarries/Letchworth responded with more attacking pressure which led to a superb backs move and a hard fought try for Sophie on the wing. The game was swinging rapidly from end to end, with fantastic effort from both sides in attack and defence, but it was Berks who finally grabbed a try to take a 12-5 lead at half time. Sarries/Letchworth started the second half well, but it was Berks who scored two tries increasing the lead and taking control of the game. Sarries continued to put pressure on Berks and were rewarded with a great try by Jess who broke through to score a cracker under the posts. This was converted, and although Sarries/Letchworth kept battling to the end, the match ended 29-12 to Berks. It was a great first game, although not helped by the conditions, and every girl played amazingly well. The U15's also played a tough match, and were unlucky not to get a score, but did great none the less. Final score Berks 31 - 0 Sarries/Letchworth.

Herts vs Hampshire

4 U18's and 3 U15's went to Petersfield on Sunday 27th to play for Hertfordshire against Hampshire. It was a boilingly sunny day, nice, but not great for playing rugby in. It was a good day, however both teams lost 4 tries to 2, but played hard and well against some tough oppostion. It was a long journey taking three hours to get back, but with some great singing to keep us entertained. Well played to everyone, and special congrats to those who made County debuts.

Welcome Back!

I know its a couple weeks late but.....Its that time of the year again when our nice lay ins on a Sunday are replaced with cold mud baths, bruises and of course lots of laughs. This season brings a few changes; we say goodbye to Flo, Amy, Emily and Becky, good luck in everything guys, you will be sorely missed. We welcome in not only some newbies, and some U15's moving up, but also Letchworth who we are clustering with this season. Sarries to me is all about having fun, building frienships, and maybe winning the league. I'm looking forward to the new season, and I hope everybody else is as well. Our first league game is 4th October against Berkshire aka Reading, after match polo shirts are compusary this year or you will be fined! Good luck until then, training is still on Thursdays at 7.30, and welcome back!

U15's Win Bowl in Herts 7's

Saracens U15s Girls won the Herts Girls 7's Bowl competition on Sunday. The girls, with help from the Grasshoppers' trio of Chloe, Tilly and Siobhan, beat West Oxon 25-0 in the final. Sarries were drawn in a tough pool and the eventual winners of the Cup, Plate, Bowl and Shield all came from it. This is the 5th year the competition has been run and the 5th time Saracens Girls have played in a final, but only the second time they have come back with a trophy. Hannah and Penny made debuts for the U15's in the competition and also scored their debut tries along the way, as did Sam. It was a fine squad performance with everybody playing an important part in getting to the final and everybody also getting pitch time in the final. All that is except for Sophie who spent the night in hospital with broken ribs, following a tough pool game against the eventual Cup winners Paviors from Nottingham. We all wish her a speedy recovery.

End of the Season...

Well the rugby season has finished at last, and what a good season this has been. The U18's came 2nd in the league, and lost only a few games. The U15's didn't do so well in their league games, but managed to come away from the Herts 7's on the 17th May (with a little help from our friends at grasshoppers) with a bright shiny bowl and medals to go with it, which is a fantastic achievement. The U18's only came away with shield runners up medals, but it was a great day none the less. The new season brings with it age group changes again, and the U18's welcome in 7 new players moving up. Unfortunately from the top end we lose 4 great players, who will be sorely missed. However I am sure it won't be the last we see of them! So now it's time for a summer break and lie ins on sundays again. But thank you to everyone who has played so well this year, and good luck in all your exams! REMEMBER! summer training continues on thursdays from 7:20...

Sarries Vs FE Madhill

On Saturday 21st March Sarries U18's hosted F.E Madhill Mustangs who were on tour from Ontario, Canada. The match was played in great spirit with both teams playing some excellent rugby. Sarries girls had the upper edge in the scrums and in loose play where their technical play gave them the advantage. The girls from Canada were playing their fourth game of their tour of Britain and some were obviously suffering from fatigue later in the game. Sarries eventually won by 46 points to 5, scoring 8 tries and 3 conversions. A special thanks to all those from Welwyn, Letchworth, Harlequins and Hertford for allowing us to put out a full team, and play lovely flowing rugby. Also thank you to the Mustangs for providing us with a great game and some great memories. We wish you a safe journey home.

Regional Festival

Congratulations to Alice and Claire who were part of the East Region squad who won the festival, and are now the champions of England and Wales. Pool Match Results: East 7 - 0 Ospreys; East 7 - 0 South East; Semi Final: East 19 - 5 South West South; Final: East 15 - 3 South. Also congratulations to Becky who was part of a succesful South East team who won the Bowl Final.

Saracens 17 – 14 Middlesex Tigers

The second first game of the new year was a little more successful. It was a very close match against our local rivals, middlesex tigers, and it saw the girls win by 3 tries to 2. It was a good flowing match, with both teams using forwards and backs to score their tries.

Saracens 5 – 56 Berks. BaBas

The first game of the new year kicked of to a bad start with the league leaders Berkshire coming with a very strong squad, and out playing us to win deservedly by a large margin. Saracens quickly went a few tries down, but managed to get a deservedtry back just before half time to make the final score a lot to 5. Not a great start to the new year, but the spirit of the girls to never give up was truly inspiring.

Middlesex Tigers 17 – 27 Saracens

On a freezing cold Sunday 7th December, 9 Sarries girls travelled to Ealing for a great match of rugby. The pitch was slightly farm like, but it didn’t stop the great flow of rugby from both sides. Sarries started the scoring after lots of pressure on the tiger’s line, and went on to score the second as well. But tigers came back strong and scored 3 tries through a good break through and some chips ahead. We were still determined and pressured their defence until just before half time we made a break and scored. It was 17-17 at half time. Sarries girls came back strong in the second half, with the sun at our backs we pressured and pressured but were denied with some good defence. Finally though we broke through and scored to make it 22-17. After some more never ending attacking play from Sarries, their defence again buckled and we went over at the last play to end the match 27-17. Both teams did well and played some great rugby, well done to everyone. Scorers: Emily, Lauren x2, Claire, Meg (in random order!)