Tough first day

So today we played our first two games of the week. Before I talk baout them it's worth noting a few things:

• Moving to a hotel was an amazing call - fresh linen, huge breakfast, comfort
• The gelato shop near our hotel is making a lot of money from us
• The pitches are heavy mud baths but we at least we are able to play!
• The setting is incredible with beautiful mountains as a backdrop
• The dinner we got at the fields was large and tasty
• No rain today - whoop!  

Waterlogged field site

 

We arrived a little early to the fields to help cheer on LMS vs the German team from Munich, Woodchicas. It started out tight with the Dublin girls using a zone to great effect. Unfortunately the game drifted away from them and despite some hard fighting they lost 15-9. They play US team and no.3 seeds Fury tomorrow. Exciting match up! 

Sinead catching against Woodchicas (Germany)

Game 1 vs Clapham: Lost 15-4
We play these guys a lot and yet still it seems like sometimes we play to their reputation. We didn't convert the many breaks we got and we really played inside ourselves. When we did open up we over threw and miscued and given the blocks we generated in testing conditions it was a frustrating scoreline, even if the result was never in doubt.

 Ranelagh & Clapham (UK)

]Game 2 vs KFUM Orebro: Lost 14-12
If the first game was frustrating, this game was gutting.We started well and traded until midway through the first half. We made a few mistakes and they capitalised, taking half by 1, 8-7. We came back and the D line went on a run and got us in front, a lead we held until 12-11. Both teams were pretty evenly matched and both teams were tired too, heavy legs playing on boggy turf. We made two errors and suddenly the game was up 14-12. What was encouraging was the fight, the team ethic and the grittiness of our display. It bodes well going into the rest of the week.

Ranelagh & KFUM Orebro

After the games we sat around and got some food and did the DotD vote (more on that later in the week). There's a much more positive buzz to the venue and to the players now that we've all had the chance to play. Sure the fields aren't perfect but it's still 7 v 7 and throwing and catching. The weather was class today so here's hoping it stays

The endzone of the Clapham game was a little heavy in places...

Despite the two losses the team is positive, especially after the gritty and powerful display in the second game. We've got Mephisto tomorrow and a win for us could send us up to power pools if the goal difference is enough. They'll be under pressure to win too so we hope it'll be a decent match up. If nothing else it'll be fun to meet another team and play against some North Americans for a change...