A Trip too Far

Thurrock Ladies travelled to The Ostler's Field, Aylesbury on Sunday 1st May as firm favourites for the English Championship play-off.
This is a title they have won more than any other team and with Cheltenham hanging on desperately to a one point advantage over Old Albanians in the semi- final, it seemed as if the Oakfielders would be convincing favourites considering their own demolition of Old Albanians a couple of weeks earlier!

However, there were a couple of mitigating factors and lessons to be learned.
Make no mistake about it; this was still an outstanding season for the Ladies who, after all, are still the winners of England's Championship South!
Unfortunately, they had gone on tour and probably "emptied the tank" for the Season and looked very jaded.
Furthermore, this team has, perhaps, the best spectator base in the country and Thurrock's Dinner and Dance that day robbed them of any substantial support.
By way of contrast, Cheltenham brought two coachloads of rabid supporters who urged their team forward and frantically cheered every Tigers' touch.
On top of that Cheltenham had two electric wingers who had "Tiger Feet!"
Dominique Coffey is a Canadian with a tremendous side-step and acceleration.!
Emma Hennessy is a Wales squad member and so fleet of foot that she was nigh on untouchable!

It is almost churlish to suggest that neither was made "player of the match!", that accolade going to Ulster fly-half Erin Caughey, whose kicking and organisation were impeccable. Captain, Maddie Madison led by brave example and deserved to hold the trophy aloft at the end.
Thurrock fired an opening salvo, but suddenly, Erin Caughey spotted a weakness before full-back Anousha Gregovich put Coffey in for her first try.
This became the pattern of the day and on four more occasions, Coffey and Hennessy were allowed too much space and flew in for a brace apiece.

As Thurrock fell further and further behind, it became obvious that they would not be able to sustain the pressure. Indeed, Cheltenham soon gained a stranglehold on the game and Thurrock were left pondering their fate.

The coching staff tried desperately to raise the tempo, but Cheltenham had real momentum throughout and went into an unassailable lead.
All that Thurrock could do was salvage some and, after India Harvey's pleas, there was a massive upturn of fortune as Thurrock found a way to score a couple of tries through Sarah Dyche and the impressive Sophie Tyler.
Sadly the deficit was too big to overhaul and there was no way back!

Cheltenham thrived on their clever tactics and thoroughly deserved their win.

Thurrock were left "Licking their wounds!" and can take cosolation from Max Ehrmann who insisted that we should all " Enjoy our achievements as well as our plans."

Sometimes you just have to hold up your hands and say:"The better team as won! "

Sad for Thurrock who had dedicated their season to the memory of Jeff Selway and had swept all before them.

Never mind, Thurrock's Ladies have still has a monumental season and will soon be back to their best.

To paraphrase Dolly Parton:
"To get to the rainbow, you have get through a hell of a lot of rain! "