September 10, 2011: Lions v. Providence (home)

Village Lions Women versus Providence
Saturday September 10, 2011

Starting 15:
1 – Stacey
2 – Kelly
3 – Sari
4 – Nicki
5 – Amanda
6 – Tape
7 – Robyn
8 – Houser
9 – Kimbo
10 – Rosie
11 – Dana
12 – Gae
13 – Jackie
14 – Nish
15 – Colman

Game starts off with a scrum early on, from which Kimbo gets possession. During the next few plays possession changes back and forth a few times, with the Lions making all of their tackles and taking the “one man one tackle” strategy to heart. Notable wrap tackles from Stacy and Rosie in the first few minutes of play.

After a long kick from Providence from which they gain a lot of yards, the Lions display strong defense by holding Providence in our 22 for multiple sets of play. Providence gains more yards by moving the ball all the way across the field and back. Lions do a fantastic job of holding Providence back even after they received their first yellowcard, and are playing a man down.

The Lions get Providence out of their 22 by hitting the rucks hard and gaining yards each time. Tape took the ball for a 5 m run and the Lions were quick to the breakdown when she got tackled.

Providence took possession of the ball and ran the ball long across the field. The Lions received their second player in the sinbin for not coming through the gate on rucks. Amanda took one for the team here and left the field. Providence gained possession of the ball from a scrum and the Lions made sure to constantly reset off of the breakdowns, ensuring 10 is always covered then sliding out. Providence was able to break through the Lions defense for their first try.

Lions came off the kick quick, with a scum to Rosie to Houser, who was able to gain yards as she went to ground. Kim got the ball back out to Rosie who swung it wide to Jackie, who cut in for a 5 m run, then passed it off to Houser who was able to break though Providence’s defense for the Lions’ first try.

Rosie and Tape were first on the next tackles and the Lions got possession of the ball after it popped out of a ruck and (Stacy I think?) jumped on the ball. Rosie had an amazing tackle on the next play. It is important to note here that captain Rosette Rough continuously pressured Providence this game by running up to tackles and going into each one 100%.

Houser broke through the line of play and was able to gain a few yards for the Lions. Providence gained possession and kicked down the field, which was returned by a big kick from Colman. Lions did a great job of pushing a maul back behind the line of play. Lions set up a clean line and after a few fumbles Robin carried the ball forward and took it to ground. Lions set up an amazing line that went from Kimbo to Rosie to Gae to Jackie to Nish, who took it to ground after a run but the Lions lost possession because support didn’t arrive in time.

Providence kicked it down the field and Colman received, and takes the ball to ground. Amanda picked the ball from a ruck and gained 5 m on a run as she was able to drag Providence defenders with her. Ball went out to Rosie then Houser, and the Lions lost possession on a wild pass.

Providence kicked on a penalty and Rosie knocked the ball out of play. Houser was able to knock the Providence throw in off and the Lions charged while Providence scrambled to gain possession.

Jackie had a flying monkey tackle, it was amazing.

Providence kicked out on a penalty and after a wild line out, Kimbo was able to take the ball from the scrum and get a long run down the field in.

After a few scrums and a Providence penalty kick, Providence gained possession of the ball in the Lions’ 22 and broke through the line of defense for their second try.

Lions had a huge run after a dummy pass which actually went to Gae then Kimbo. Ball went back across from Jackie to Nish where the Lions almost scored, but then lost possession off of a wild pass.

Halftime.

The second half started off a bit wild as Providence took possession of the ball but then fumbled it for the next few plays. Lions finally stole the ball and kicked it down the field. Providence countered with a return kick down the field. From their own 22 Providence swung the ball back and forth across the field and was able to break through the Lions’ defense. Colman and Ali were able to stop Providence’s momentum with a big tackle. Providence reset quickly and gained more yards by playing out of rucks quickly. They got through for another try.

Providence had a kick down the field that was caught and returned by Ali. After a run by Amanda, Kimbo picked the ball out of the ruck and kicked it down the field, then chased it to make the tackle.

Tape and Houser had quick tackles off a scum, and in the next play Rosie took off down the field for a long run before being tackled. Off of this tackle the Lions were able to make a series of plays off the rucks and showed solid and skillful offense, especially from the forwards, before the ball was swung out to the backs. Lions successfully wheeled the next scum. On the next Providence possession they made a small error and Rosie and Jackie were there to attack it and force another, eventually leading to Lions possession.

Rosie ran the ball across the field and down, and passed it off to Kelly before going down for a very short while with a injury. Lions then had a lineout in Providence’s 10. Kimbo swung the ball across the field to Rosie, who ran forward and broke through Providence’s line with a dummy pass. She offloaded to Jackie before being tackled, then Jackie dummy passeed her way right around Providence for the Lion’s second try of the game.

Lions held Providence in their 22 for a series of plays, with strong defense from both the forwards and the backs. Providence was finally able to break through off a fast break for another try. In Providence’s half of the field, the Lions had a series of strong line passes. The Lions were almost able to score but then lost possession off of a steal and Providence kicked it down the field.

Providence broke through the Lions line and got into the Lions 22 before being tackled. The Lions got their third player sinbined and captain Rosette Rough left the field. Off of that penalty Providence ran it straight in for another try.

Jackie was almost able to score again after a run with a dummy pass but was stopped by a hoard of Providence players in the 5m.

Providence was able to put one more try in off a long run before the game ends.

FINAL SCORE: Lions 10, Providence 43.

Closing comments from COACH Erin: “The team did very well to integrate players new to the Lions and to adjust for personnel not available for this match. It was inspiring to watch the veteran leadership step up and guide the team through our first league match of the season. We remained composed throughout the match and there were glimpses of great rugby. I am looking forward to watching the team develop as the season goes on.”

Women finish THIRD IN THE NORTHEAST for Summer 7s

Saturday, July 23rd, the Village Lions Women’s team kitted up for the final Met NY summer 7s Series tournament and NRU 7s Championships – also known as Hell Gate 7s. Braving the 100+ degree temperatures, in Pool 1, Lions A faced Yale, Heat, NYRC 1, and Boston Belles. In Pool 2, Lions B faced NYRC 2, Belles, and HEAT. The most amazing aspect of the day was that the Women’s team entered three sides – a great show of lineage.

Lions A started off the day strong with wins over Yale and Heat. In these games they kept defense tight and were able to create breakaways from the strong communication on offense. In the next game, Lions A faced NYRC 1 and although they couldn’t pull through for the win, they played consistently with trys spread out over both halves, from Kimbo in the first minute, then Collins and Rosie later on.

In their first game, Lions B tied NYRC 2. According to Lions B captain Juicy, it was during this game that the communication of the team really synched. They were able to effectively communicate in terms of offense, in order to make a coordinating passing line, which created some nice breakaway runs (Gae, Nish, and Kathleen). Lions B then went on to play Boston Belles. Lions B captain Juicy took careful note of some areas of improvement to incorporate into the next game: “there were some communications breakdowns in the defensive line that lead to some of the tries by the Belles early on. After that, I feel that the team may have gotten a little intimidated and that lead to a communication breakdown both offensively and defensively.” Even though they didn’t come away with the win, Lions B showed a level of commitment and passion that is characteristic of the Lions.

Towards the end of the day Lions A (in the semis) played eventual tournament winners, the Boston Belles. The team showed tremendous defensive and offensive effort, scoring the only points against the Belles that day.

At the end of the long day, Lions A took third place in the tournament, which means that the Village Lions Women also finished third in the Northeast overall for Summer 7s.

According to Lions A captain Meg Collins, “Hell Gate was an amazing end to Summer 7s…this summer produced the most numbers and talent the Leonas have every seen during the summer season. I would have never thought we’d be competing at the level we did this summer and with as many sides entered. The Lions have developed a legacy through the commitment and dedication of every player that wears the black and white hoops (or in Hell Gate’s case, tighter-than-skin-tight, white jerseys).” Lions B captain Juicy added that “despite the tremendous heat and the addition of players that had little 7′s experience or had just started playing that weekend, the team’s positive improvements outshined the challenges the team had that day. Everyone really enjoyed themselves at the tournament and I think it was a great wrap-up to a great season of summer 7′s.”