National representation meant the 1s match this week was postponed, so full attention was on the 2s squad yet again this week. With a below-par away record so far this season, they really had to 'Stepp' up to the challenge of playing Strathclyde on Wednesday.
Despite several players out with injuries, the squad (captained by recently returned Aimee Dallas) was looking superb, with three new players making their uni debut. With the absence of EULRFC super fan, Ian Donnelly, we were graced with the presence of Dallas' Dad and Grandad who’s proud cheers could be heard a mile off!
With the Edinburgh players looking confident after last week’s close encounter with Queen Margaret, the game got off to a promising start and both teams defended well with neither showing any sign of weakness. In a welcome turn of events after a trend of early tries for the opposition in past games, Priscilla Humphries got the first try for Edinburgh by breaking a narrow and unorganised Strathclyde defense and capitalising.
A strong defense from Edinburgh saw the ball regularly turned over from Strathclyde possession allowing Raquel Matos, Jess McClintick, and Judith Oguguo to all follow Humphries and get tries in the first half, with some lovely conversions from Jess taking the lead even further. Strathclyde decided to kick for goal midway through the first half and bagged themselves a few points to end the first half with 3 to Edinburgh’s 26.
A try for Strathclyde early in the second half was well deserved by their slippery attack and Edinburgh reorganised themselves to retaliate. Back of the match Georgie Pringle was putting in an outstanding performance at full back, catching every ball with ease and ever ready and prepared for the next one. Sarah ‘The Destroyer’ Donnelly lived up to her nickname by putting in some beautiful tackles in defense, and Julia 'Coolio' Guerrero also impressed with her ball handling skills and great lines in attack. Doctor Judith was in session in the second half with injuries from both teams, seeing winger Chaz heroically carried off by Coach ‘Goggs’ Gordon. Another try from Jess took the score to 29-10 to finish the game with a handy win for Edinburgh, leaving them in 2nd place in the league going into semester two.
