Old Elthamians 0 v 99 Tonbridge-Juddians/ Footscray

Friendly

IN THEIR first ever rugby match Old Elthamians Ladies were demolished by a combined Tonbridge-Juddians and Footscary side.

It was a rude awakening for a team which having only been established in January were fielding seven players who had never played before.

But the inexperience showed as Elthamians conceded 17 tries however, the ladies are eager for the next match so they are clearly determined to carry on.

The historic debutant team was caught napping in the first quarter of the game where the rampant visitors to Foxbury Avenue, Chislehurst, ran in six tries.

Suddenly waking up to the fact they were in a game Elthamians started to fight back with improved tackling and running towards the end of a grueling first half.

Despite pushing into opposition territory they could not break down an excellent defence and Elthamians were 0-58 down at half time.

The second half saw a spirited Elthamians performance, winning good forward balls through Nat Foster and Loukia Agathokleous, and after three phases of play the hosts were pushing toward the try-line.

However, the power of the opposition forwards led to more tries and this was despite the efforts of Charlie Emuss who was named player of the match.

Towards the end the visitors' superior fitness levels caused further problems for Elthamians who conceded tries in the dying minutes.

All bar two of the 17 conceded tries were scored by Footscray players who are currently second in a division two above where Elthamians will be playing when they enter league rugby in 2008.