On Saturday we saw the first ever “international” match between Guilberley, with a
little bit of help from our friends from Harlequins and Teddington, play a season
opener against the West Cort Rebellettes on tour from Ireland for the women’s
Rugby World Cup
With the sun shining and the touchline packed with supporters owing to the mass of
travelling fans from Ireland both teams went into the game with some apprehension
as so early in the season, little training had been carried out, some girls had never
met before, and the level of competition was unknown
This, however didn’t stop all 40 or players lining up either side of half way line before
kick off to sing, with some immense pride, their national anthems.
Despite being so early in the season and very few knowing each other the players
played out an incredibly intense highly passionate, highly skilled game of rugby that
ebbed and flowed
A strong start by the tourists saw them go 7-0 up early doors thanks to a converted
try. This stoked Guilberley into action who hit back with tries from Cecilia, on her
debut having just arrived from the Cayman Islands and our new hooker, Emily S,
again on debut having moved up from the under 12’s.
The game continued to ebb and flow with both teams warming to the task in hand.
With the games skill set rising, physicality increasing, ruck speed getting quicker, our
visitors scored again to go 12 - 10 up before Guilberley hit back with two converted
tries by Amberley and the second of the day for Emily S.
A shift in momentum saw our visitors score 4 unanswered, unconverted tries
bringing the game back to 24- 22 with only a few minutes to go. With the Guilberley
attack tiring and the hard ground having taken its toll and the subs bench having
been emptied, Amberley took the opportunity to throw a quiet audacious dummy 20
metres out, to step inside her opposite number and knocking over a drop goal
extending the lead to 27-22 and guarantee at least a draw with the last play called at
the restart.
Credit where credit is due the Irish came back with the clock in the red, spun the ball
wide to score in the corner to bring it 27-27 and despite an amazing strike by their
outside centre from the touchline the conversion just missed the up rights to see the
final score all tied.
Post game the players enjoyed the next several hours dining together, playing the
now internationally famous Mars bar challenges before forming new friendships
whilst watching England destroy the Australians at the watch party.

There is no doubt some lifelong friendship has been made in what was an amazing
event and we thank Lindsey for her efforts from Guildford. We think the Rebellettes
for bringing a whole lot of fun and we hope one day sooner rather than later we can
return the favour for the rematch out in the emerald Isles.