Elusive win remains out of reach for Sandy Bay Storm

An organised Police Sirens employed form and discipline to force a convincing 22-5 victory over Sandy Bay Storm at Aberdeen this weekend. The meeting could have caused a potential disruption to the standings, with the visitors having already lost their two previous encounters, but Storm just couldn’t find a way into back the game in the second half.

With a limited bench (Sophia Nazer and Genevieve Simmons still out of action; Laura Horsfall, Keri Roberson and Olivia Wilcockson out this week with injury or illness), Storm already looked to be starting on the back foot.

Instead, the team shone in the first quarter, holding possession well, and dominating with the now familiar 9 / 10 combination of Eve Caplowe and Harriet Jamieson. A lapse in concentration felt reminiscent of the previous week’s match against Revolution, as the Sirens popped two tries behind the back line in quick succession. Storm hit back with five points of their own after 20 minutes, with Harriet Jamieson exhibiting superior skill and experience to edge a try in the far corner.

The remainder of the match felt balanced in terms of skill, possession and opportunity; and the home side will be disappointed that their efforts could not convert into points. As in previous weeks, the backs made the most ground through simple, well-executed set plays and runs, but it was Eve Caplowe’s tackling prowess which sealed her selection for Back of the Match, consistently stopping the opposition in their tracks.

The front five, now a tight-knit unit, have been pulling together as a strong pack and look a force to be reckoned with as we near the halfway mark in the season. New recruit Erika Frase (Forward of the Match) showed a dogged tenacity throughout, finding herself in almost every ruck and playing with grit in the second row.

Head Coach Chris Garvey will be proud of a side which is on the whole performing on par with other teams in the league; but will be working to eliminate the momentary lapses which have so far allowed their opponents to take the edge. This weekend’s performance, whilst frustrating for Storm, displayed once again the potential for this growing team and gives renewed hope for the second half of the season.