League match vs. HKFC 1

I haven’t been this close to the Chinese border for quite a while and it was a trip worth the travelling time. We had arranged a bus and the girls took advantage and entertained the crowd with signing more or less from the get go. I noticed that some players did look sleepy when they showed up and I suspect sleepovers had been on the program. Not the ideal preparation for an important match but they certainly all woke up during the bus trip.

The only league match of the day was against HKFC 1. Just before the warm-up Coach Tanya shared a video with the girls showing some excellent passing work by the All Blacks. She wanted the girls to focus on passing today. One thing is for sure, when the coaches are talking the players listen.

I have been to many tournaments and matches with Sandy Bay over the years but this match was the best team effort I have witnessed.

Zoe Schorr started with a try followed by a conversion by Anna Chandler. Then followed tries by Tea McMahon, Anna Chandler and Rochelle Ng. Anna Chandler followed up with another conversion before HKFC got a chance to get one try back and a conversion. Samantha Wilkinson finished off with a try. Final score 29-7.

Even the girls did let HCKF slip through the lines once, it was a beautiful performance. 5 different players made tries and this is just showing the diversity in the team. As Coach Tanya said after the game – all played a part in the tries. The passing game was the best we have seen (so far) and the opposition was clearly frustrated, and that is a good sign.

“Player of the day”: Kaylie, Anna, Sierra, Eloisa, Daria, Jemima, Nica, Tea, Jennica, Rochelle, Zoe, Luca, Cassandra, Thiyaa and Samantha.

-Carsten