As the 2021/22 season draws to an end, Stewartry’s junior girls team, the Sharkettes, have had the chance to put their training into practice.
Against Annan, the U14s and U16s played as separate eight-a-side teams on reduced pitches. Annan’s U16s were a bit too big and strong for the Stewartry girls but the U14 Sharkettes were the stronger team with good attacking runs from Erin Dawdry and Joselyn McKie and destructive tackling from Jasmine McCulloch.
Against Dumfries, the age groups played as combined teams on a full sized pitch.
This tested the fitness of the players as well as the organisation needed to fill the spaces, particularly in defence. Dumfries made good use of their bigger players to play simple but effective rugby and were, on the day, the better team. The Stewartry girls did not shirk in the tackle and, led by Libby Nelson and Tilda Henderson, forced many turnovers.
Parity was achieved in the scrum which was the first time they had scrummed with a second row. Mya Barbour and Kaycee Knox provided stability while Charley Henderson ensured the hooks were clean. In attack, Amy Peacock was perhaps the Sharkettes’ most penetrative player with Tilda also breaking tackles to finish with a try.
For many, however, it was not an opportunity to stand out but to realise that the team elements of the game are what allow some to shine.
The players in support of the attackers, those who get to the rucks, those who keep pressing in defence – these are the unsung efforts that the team depends upon.
During the season several players have had the chance to be coached at a higher level. Ruby Walsh Kirk, Libby and Tilda all benefited from sessions in Glasgow as part of the SRU pathway system.
Coaches, Claire, Hannah and Richard are pleased to see players such as Ruby and Chance Spernagel moving up to senior Sirens squad.
