Sunday 4th October saw the ladies heading to Murrayfield to play on the shiny new 4G pitch against current league and cup holders Murrayfield Wanderers. Hills narrowly missed out to Murrayfield last year, and the Edinburgh team have built quite a reputation over the past few years, so this was set to be quite a battle. The HillJills had a notable absence in Miss Hutchinson, but had trained hard through the week and were looking forward to some running rugby on the artificial pitch.
With some travelling support and both of our coaching team present the ladies set out to take the game to Murrayfield, to play the fast, disciplined, dominating style (attractive in a lady…?) they’ve been putting into pratice in the early season.
The game was tight from the offset, with some fantabulous defence from the Hill girls. Murrayfield seemed to be missing the threat and running lines of full-back Millard who made a move south of the border at the end of last season. Any ball they had was closed down quickly by the Hills backline, the fast line-speed putting their backs under pressure. Hills failed to capitalise on this pressure though, being, for wont of a better word, a bit saft in the breakdown, and failing to make as much turn over ball as they could have. Ball that was won appeared to be won on the back foot and, comfortable in their defensive stance and structure, Hills were slow to make go forward ball, making it easy for the Murrayfield defence.
The pack did well against their counterparts despite the early loss of hooker Wilko to a broken collarbone, a few blue lights and neenaws later she was hooked up with a sling and back to school, meantime a pack reshuffle left us a bit strapped in the back row with L-Dawg moving to tight-head, and Lucifer learning a new trade at hooker. Dawg, used to getting her bosh on at 8, dominated the front-row, making life difficult for their experienced loose-head who couldn’t compete, and eventually earned a sin-binning for her attempts. The scrum, strengthened at the front,won a few against the head, no mean feat (on paper…) against the Murrayfield personnel, but the Murrayfield back row did well in stifling any quick possession off the scrums.
Some awesome try saving tackles from centre Emma and full-back Hazel kept the HillJills uncrossed try-line intact. An incredible tackle from Haze on a rampaging Lana Blyth who stormed down the wing unfortunately saw her side-lined, a wee bit sparkled.
Jules did well under pressure from 10, spotting the weaknesses in the back 3 and putting in a few searching kicks, gaining the HillJills some ground. Unfortunately Hills failed to find a next gear, settled into a defending game, and while the defensive game was impressive, they lacked the spark needed to beat a challenging Murrayfield team.
Murrayfield did well in the loose,making the most of the new breakdown rules and winning some good turnover ball through Ruth and Lana. Confusion was rife as one of the Murrayfield internationals gave us a sneak preview of what may be a new secret Scotland penalty move as, from a quick tap she promptly ran 3m, turned round and stood presenting the ball to her team, despite not yet having encountered any opposition…
The eventual score line was 3-0, as scrumhalf Gilly slotted a penalty despite having allegedly been disabled by her opposite number. A disappointing show from HillJills, not maximising their chances, and a few things to work on for next time, Chosen One for the ladies that week, for great efforts and pressure in defence went to Emma McBride at 13, with a special mention also to Rachy Nic who was picked as Man of the Match by Murrayfield, she is all man after all…
The inflammatory match report later to appear on the Murrayfield webpage, now slightly edited, does nothing for their reputation in Scottish Women’s Rugby, it would be disappointing to think it reflected the attitudes of the Murrayfield Wanderers club.
