Saturday and the GRF ladies, or 14 players and a baby sitter to be exact, headed south to take on the Skåne regional team. Unfortunately due to injuries and explanations, the squad could just about muster up a complete team but would have no bench in a development comp.which allows rolling subs.
weather conditions were extremely hot and sunny which was a huge positive considering the weather that struck Skåne on the sunday.
The ladies would basically have to a new match plan, with new players in different positions and do it without any reserves.
Due to this, the match developed into more of a trench warfare than anything else, with GRF not playing the usual match plan but working the rail tracks. The skåne team defended well and managed to score two tries after turnover ball. Otherwise they struggled to get up to 3rd phase and gave away a high penalty count which was justified. they were fortunate to only lose one player to the sin bin after repeated offences had their penalty count go over the 20 zone. This pretty much kept GRF in the match who were retaining ball possession and territory stats for most of the match. GRF forwards provided a solid platform and really put in a shift, considering the opposition had rolling subs throughout the match. Playing with 7 up front and a full back line had our fitness tested in the heat . the ladies came out with the victory after a huge effort. The final stats would show Skåne 12 - GRFD 42.
Next 15's match is a midweek affair against Vänersborg RK. Another tough test on the horizon for a squad that has lost many key players but showed at the weekend they are not willing to go down without a hard battle.