ISB’s strength in depth (read enormous squad and youthful fitness levels) usually ensures that they dominate when the She Devils take them on in more than one game, but Saturday was a different story as the She Devils, whose total squad has grown to 38 this year and who took 19 players to ISB, had the luxury of fielding a strong second team, captained by debut try hero Bridges.
In the opening stages this game mirrored the previous, with the She Devils putting early pressure on ISB, with some excellent running by Tamara Cano and Charlie Surridge calling for strong ISB defence. Fly half Cano almost got the better of the this defence when her barn storming run down the right wing was ended by a stray blade of grass. After 5 minutes ISB were finally broken down after a series of penalties allowed the She Devils to nudge close to the line and for Chelsea Adams to power over on her debut.
However, from the 2nd half kick off the Devils switched off and ISB’s powerful centre was allowed to charge straight down the middle of the park and level the scores. The She Devils found themselves on the back foot and, despite some heroic tackling by Maja (complicated Polish surname that I can never remember) and Kate Sliney they remained under pressure for most of the second half, with little opportunity to push forward.
Eventually this pressure paid off for ISB and they scored two neat second half tries – one from a darting run on the blind side when they pinched the ball from a red scrum and the other a long run on the wing when the She Devils were caught defending far too deep and steep. Some important defensive lessons were taken from the defeat, but nothing should detract from the quality of the She Devils attacking player and their improved agression in all areas of the park – especially from veteran squad players including Sliney, Sammie Vai and Celeste Leong.
Tries: Adams
Cons: Cano
Player of the Match: Kate Sliney