On Sunday 8th November Scottish Emanuel Lions girls U15s travelled away to play Grasshoppers/Ealing in round 3 of the RFU Girls Cup in what was effectively the return leg of the match played a couple of weeks ago.

Missing a few players from the last round and with some players back in the team from injury, the focus was perhaps not the best before the start and they were very lethargic throughout the first half.

The standard of play was below the team's capability and a failure to execute the basics, especially in defence, allowed Grasshoppers/Ealing to score three unconverted tries with a fourth disallowed. Rallying a little and drawing on some self belief the Scottish Emanuel Lions managed to put together enough possession to get across the line for a converted try and end the half 15-7 down and still just in the game.
 
After some frank home truths during the break it was to their credit that the team responded and the difference in quality of their second half performance was like night and day. Much better possession and ball retention and a passing/off-loading game up to their best abilities enabled them to score three more tries and two conversions to take the score to 15-26.
 
Ealing/Grasshoppers responded very strongly with a sustained period of possession to take the ball up to our line but were prevented from scoring by a series of try saving tackles and were on the verge of crossing the line when the ball was turned over. Capitalising on her own turnover Gabby Spencer managed to find some life in her very tired legs to run the length of the pitch for the team's fifth try which was converted to make the final score 15-33.
 
Charlotte Wheeler and Gabby Spencer both scored a pair of tries but top scorer was Morven Calway with one try of her own and four conversions. Scottish Emanuel Lions player of the match was Gabby Spencer for her commitment and determination throughout the game.