Sunday 9th June 2019 saw three Kesteven Ladies selected to play for #teamalphonsi as part of the inaugural NatWest RugbyForce Invitational at Rugby HQ - Twickenham.

Kerri Arlando became the first (and hopefully not last) of her name to grace the hallowed turf, a feat that husband and sons alike were proud to witness supporting her all the way. Not to mention beaming parents in the west stand.

Emma Austen, second row and ‘up-the-jumper’ runner by name, but silky hands by nature graced the second row with her presence. Son George, and mum Sharon also graced the terraces and looked on with pride and support in equal measure.

Beth Toone, a late replacement for second row Lauren Smith who unfortunately couldn’t play, slotted into the unfamiliar role of second row. Rows and rows of Black Army followers graced both the royal box and Eddie Jones’ bench to watch. A huge cheer from the travelling horde greeted Beth’s entry onto the pitch at half time.

Now apologies must go out here to all other members of both #teamalphonsi (representing the north), and #teamgreenwood (representing the south). This report writer only knows three names that were on the pitch so the report may be deemed a little biased.

The game kicked off to rapturous applause & cheering from the crowd, some two or three thousand voices ringing around the stands at HQ.

#teamgreenwood started well showing good strength in the opening exchanges including a couple of powerful scrums that brought about a turnover. 2 minutes in though, an excellent turnover from the little scrum half Arlando saw #teamalphonsi able to return play to halfway. A couple more forward runs saw some good ground gained. Emma Austen stepped up to carry and set off on a powerful run into the opposition defence, a strong 10m gain for #teamalphonsi but unfortunately the ball was lost forwards.

The 6th minute saw a piece of skill that anyone troubling 5 and a half feet tall could not have physically accomplished. From strong forward running from #teamalphonsi, #teamgreenwood put in a powerful counter-ruck. The 9 dug the ball out when all seemed lost and managed some sort of overhead pass that found its way straight into the hands of the 10. She was able to distribute the ball wide to take the side in purple up to the opposition 10m. A line out steal saw #teamalphonsi push into the opposition 22, but a penalty was awarded to the other side who cleared their lines ably.

Good distribution play was the order for the next 10 minutes from both sides, with backs and forwards showing silky passing skills to spread the ball wide. Emma Austen being one of the main orchestrators of this. Her draw-and-give running game causing the opposition back row real problems. From one of the resulting rucks, it was #teamgreenwood who took exception to the SH Arlando causing a small skirmish. What she gave away in size in this confrontation, the 9 made up for in spades with bravery. Penalty to #teamalphonsi. From this penalty, the ball was spun wide through the backs and a lovely try was scored in the south-west corner by the wing. The conversion kick was unsuccessful.

#teamalphonsi 5-0 #teamgreenwood

Consistent pressure and excellent running from the #teamgreenwood centres brought the play back into the #teamalphonsi half and they stayed camped there for the next 5 minutes until an injury stopped play. The 24th minute saw more strong running from the loose forwards, and #teamgreenwood crossed for their first try of the day. Again the kick was unsuccessful.

#teamalphonsi 5-5 #teamgreenwood

The final play of the half would see #teamgreenwood gaining more confidence, and a breakthrough looked for the world to be a try until the winger and scrum half for the ladies in purple teamed up to make a stellar tackle (the first of many from this pairing). From the resulting scrum however, #teamgreenwood secured a turnover and the open side flanker did a lot of work to get across the pitch to dive over in the corner.

Half Time
#teamalphonsi 5-10 #teamgreenwood

The halftime break saw both teams ring the changes, with Kerri Arlando and Emma Austen taking a break and Beth Toone coming on into the second row.

The opening exchanges set the tone for the majority of the second half with #teamgreenwood showing their strength and experience as they grew into the game. Play was taken to the #teamalphonsi 5m line but good defence caused a couple of knock-on’s. A couple of minutes later though this pressure paid off with a try to the ladies in white through the forwards.

#teamalphonsi 5-15 #teamgreenwood

More lovely hands from #teamgreenwood saw all of the #teamalphonsi team being forced to make a lot of ground across the pitch, with Toone making tackle after tackle. The ball was spread wide only for the #teamalphonsi winger to make a great hit on an opponent to take them into touch. This was followed by some celebratory dancing from the defender to tumultuous cheering from the supporting crowd.

In the 45th minute, Kerri Arlando returned to the fray, this time taking up position on the left wing.

#teamgreenwood continued their strong presence in this half with sustained pressure in the opposition 22. A strong running 10 for #teamgreenwood popped up on the wing only 10 metres out with ball in hands, but the terrier Arlando managed to bring her down after being sufficiently boshed to break anyone with less grit.

The final action of the game perhaps summed up the entire second half. More pressure from #teamgreenwood led to a penalty 5 metres out. The quick thinking blindside flanker for the ladies in white tapped and dived over for her first try. The kick was unsuccessful.

Full Time
#teamalphonsi 5-20 #teamgreenwood

MOM’s awarded by those seated in the royal box (Arlando and Williams children) were given to the #teamalphonsi 22 for her outstanding tackling and dancing, and to #teamgreenwood 7 for her excellent work all over the park.

All in all, the black army warriors had an excellent day out at Twickers, playing competitive rugby, and showing how far the ladies game has come in the last few years. Not one they will forget in a hurry!