After a long summer away from the touchline it was fantastic to see the All Macs take to the field for the first time this season as they travelled to Tamworth to take on their under 16’s. Reunited with team mates from the 2022/23 season the All Macs also welcomed Ella, Sophie, Gabby and Aoibhe to the fold for their first games.

The first half was evenly matched with All Macs winning the territory battle at a canter and so could count themselves very unlucky to go into the half 12-0 down.

With ball in-hand: Inside centre Ella punched huge holes in the defensive line time and time again as Lou Lou provided excellent forward progress around the fringes although Eve produced the highlight of the first half with a weaving run from her own 22 taking the ball well into the opposing half past several defenders. In defence Lottie B put in tackle after tackle from the wing as Emmie led from the front to keep the Tamworth attack in check.

Tamworth’s first score came as a result of a goal-line dropout awarded as the All Mac’s stoic defence held up the ball in the in-goal area only for the home team to take the ball straight back and score from the kick despite a courageous desperation tackle from Eve.

Possession spread back and forth for the following 15 minutes as All Macs attacked through Ella, Evie P, Tonks and Ellie while the pack put in strong performances in the line-outs and scrums. The defence was well organised and committed and so took an individual moment of brilliance from the Tamworth 6 who ran the ball from inside her own 22 to score the 2nd try of the match.

Despite conceding an early try in the second half; the All Macs kept up the pressure and intensity and were soon rewarded with a try. Emi and Rose combined in defence to steel the ball just outside the 22 and won a scrum penalty. Lou Lou and Emmie took the ball forwards off the back of the resulting scrum before specialist ‘front-row winger’ Evie Parker registered her (and the All Mac’s) first try of the season to make the score 17-5.

And they kept up the positive style of play to keep Tamworth under constant pressure but a loose ball was picked up by Tamworth and returned for a try under the posts, again, from inside their own 22.

Another great covering tackle from Eve prevented a repeat of the previous try as Tamworth grew in confidence. Despite being battered by the Tamworth defence; the All Mac runners kept trucking the ball forward with great endeavour never letting their heads drop throughout a tough game.

Endless committed running, coupled with clever recycling of the ball led to All Mac’s final try set—up by a brutally strong run from Lou Lou before offloading to Ellie who took it over for the score.

Whilst the game finished 26-10 to Tamworth, the two teams were far more evenly matched than that. All Mac’s were relentless in attack and defence and but for some small errors of judgement could have walked away with the win. For a first game of the season there was much to be pleased with and build upon for the coming fixtures and, moreover, the smiles beamed from each players face to be back on the field.