For the players who tavelled down to Shanghai last May to be comprehensively beaten by Shanghai Sharks, this result was a bittersweet victory. The scoreline demonstrates the massive improvements that coaches Ben and Oli have brought to the She Devils this season, but at the same time it was a game thrown away, as the She devils went into half time with a commanding lead before their inexperience and ill discipline allowed Shanghai to snatch a draw.
The game began in perfect fashion for the Devils, as a long kick from Shanghai was well received by Jane Cheung who ran through the Sharks’ defensive line as though they weren’t there to score within 20 seconds of kick off. But once Shanghai got hold of the ball they began to demonstrate their experience and skill by moving the ball cleverly up and down the hands, pulling Beijing’s defensive line left and right. Eventually that allowed them to find some space on the left and their quick winger made the most of a missed tackle by Jeannie Ivanov, running in a 20 metre try.
These early encounters highlighted that although the Sharks had the edge in strength and experience, the Devils were by far the quicker and more agile team. The forward line of Jill Glover, Marissa Cox and Naomi Bridges held solid in a hard scrum, allowing fly half Sammie Vai to receive good ball and pressure Shanghai with her fearsome straight running. Jane Cheung and Aurore Marie terrorised the defensive line with their pace, and it was Marie who finally found a gap in the line for a deserved and ever graceful solo score.
Seconds from half time Beijing scored again, when pressure close to the line forced them into a very tight defensive hole close to the corner flag. Two high tackles in succession from a Sharks forward allowed Jeannie Ivanov to take a quick tap and power over the line, with a Shark grimly clinging on to her wind pipe as she grounded the ball. 17-5 at half time.
Beijing made one or two changes at half time, allowing impressive debutant Maddy Stern and Midi Song to combine well on the wing, but although Beijing applied early pressure the Sharks came out firing on all cylinders and soon began to dominate the Devils with their physical presence in the scum and ruck. Once again, this led to some silly errors and Shanghai won a long series of penalties for everything from off side to hands in the ruck. From two of these penalties the Devils really paid the price, with Shanghai stealing two late tries from quick taps and levelling the game at the death.