Saturday’s match between the All Blues and Raptors was hard fought by both sides as they each looked to gain a first place seed going into Nationals next weekend. Due to wet, messy playing conditions and urgent play from both teams the game proved to be hard-fought with a lot of back and forth possession. Ultimately, however, Glendale gained a victory, defeating Berkeley 17-14.
Within minutes of kickoff by Berkeley, Glendale spun the ball out to wing Andrea Prusinski to score off a scrum and took a 5-0 lead. Berkeley quickly counteracted as scrumhalf Jossy Tseng took advantage of a penalty in Berkeley’s favor within the 22m and earned Berkeley’s first points of the day. A successful conversion by flyhalf Ruth Bryson put Berkeley on top 7-5. The rest of the half was kept scoreless with incredibly physical play. An attempted Berkeley try was held up and a missed attempt at kicking for points by Berkeley occurred right before halftime, keeping the score at 7-5 Berkeley.
Shortly into the second half, Glendale’s hooker Kittery Wagner scored off a penalty awarded to the Raptors on their 5m. A successful conversion by flyhalf Hannah Stolba brought the score to 12-7, Glendale. After a long series of back and forth kicking, the Berkeley backline took advantage of a penalty and inside center Jill Whitfield broke through the Glendale defense to score Berkeley’s next try. Conversion by flyhalf Ruth Bryson brought Berkeley back in the lead 14-12.
With only a few minutes left in the game, Glendale capitalized on a scrum and spun out successfully to their backline to give winger Andrea Prusinski her second try of the game, bringing the final score of the game Glendale 17, Berkeley 14.
Match Video 1st Half
All Blues vs Glendale PT 2 1 from Women's Premier League Rugby on Vimeo.
2nd Half
All Blues vs Glendale PT 1 2 from Women's Premier League Rugby on Vimeo.
View the shedule, brackets and results of the 2012 WPL Championships here.
View the complete 2012 WPL Schedule and Results here.
View all of the match reports from this season here.
