Weekend of Rematches in WPL Week 4

View the complete 2011 WPL Schedule and Results here.

By Wendy Young on behalf of USA Rugby

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The fourth round of the Women’s Premier League was all about the rematches. All teams played the same team they played in Week 3.

Blue Division
In this week’s rematch between Beantown and Berkeley it was the battle of defenses. Both teams held up under tremendous pressure until the 37th minute when Berkeley fullback Ashley English scored under the posts, conversion good. After the gates were opened, it didn’t take long for the All Blues to score again. The next score came after a brilliantly driven lineout with Katie Chou taking the scoring honor. At the half, Berkeley was up 14-0.

The second half kicked off with a newly invigorated Beantown squad. Berkeley gave them a slight helping hand with a series of penalties and the Town was able to get across the line for a converted try. Unfortunately, that was the only glimmer from Beantown as the rest was all scored by Berkeley.
Final Score: Beantown 7 Berkeley All Blues 36

This week Keystone and the DC Furies faced off twice due to the weather cancellation from last week. The first match was on Saturday and Keystone pounded the Furies 50-5. However, on Sunday for the rematch it was a much closer affair. With unusually warm weather (~85 degrees in October) and their already sore bodies, this match was a challenge for both teams. The game was evenly matched from the start and each team struggled to have continuous play. Keystone struck first though when 8man Michelle Kirk drove down the field for a score. The Furies answered back quickly and drove their own score over the line. Then, after a group of beautifully crafted phases, Keystone was able to strike again. Keystone’s Rachel Hammond dove over the line from a ruck 5m out and the conversion was good as well. Before halftime, the Furies were able to sneak another converted try in and the score stood at 10-12 in favor of the Furies.

The second half followed closely to the first as ball possession was split by both teams. The teams struggled with penalties and unorganized defense. These lapses allowed each team to put points on the board. The game ended with Keystone squeaking out the win 22-19.

Week 3 Final Score: Keystone 50 DC Furies 5
Week 4 Final Score: Keystone 22 DC Furies 19

*Read the YSC Match Report here.

Red Division
This week the Amazons vs San Diego Surfers match was a shocker. The Amazons handed the Surfers their first WPL loss through an adept forward attack. In the past, the Amazons have been known for their forward strength and we finally saw that power again this weekend. The scoring started with Amanda “Worm” Kingzett scoring in the corner for the Amazons. The Zons held off the powerful Surfer backline by keeping the ball with their forwards and they controlled the set pieces with driving scrums and lineouts. At halftime, the score was 20-0 to the Zons.

The Zons knew they couldn’t afford to let their foot off the gas as the Surfers would immediately take advantage. The Surfers came out hard in the second half, but the Zons kept the pressure on and their work was rewarded as the Zon pack walked a scrum in for a try. To cap off the scoring, a nicely placed grubber kick by Desiree Markovich put Morgan Johnson over the line for another forward try.
Final Score: Amazons 35 San Diego Surfers 0

*Read the YSC Match Report here.

New York returned to their normal action this weekend and handily defeated the Minnesota Valkyries 56-5. The New York backline put on a show with long lean lines, perfect passing and hard running. Of course we can’t count out the NY forwards as they were a powerhouse on defense as well.

New York moves to 2-2 and the Minneosta Velkyries are still searching for their first win with a record of 0-4.
Final Score: New York 56 Minnesota Valkyries 5

*Read the YSC Match Report here.

View the complete 2011 WPL Schedule and Results here.