|
|
| :
PWRFC Old Boy Craig Levine coach of Women |
|
|
 |
PWRFC Old Boy Craig Levine coach of Women
Event Date:
Monday, 12/05/05
|
|
|
|
v.
Craig Levine, PWRFC Old Boy and Head Coach of the Northeast 15s Women All-Star National Champions
Congratulations to Craig Levine, PWRFC Old Boy and Head Coach of the Northeast Rugby Union 15s Women All-Star National Champions
NASC: NRU Women Put Stranglehold on Grizzlies
By Alex Goff
December 4, 2005 – With a stifling defensive performance in a match that carried all the intensity and hard feelings of a test match, the Northeast women's all-star team held a talented and vaunted Pacific Coast team to just one penalty goal and won the National All Star Championships 13-3.
Northeast had held out star loose forward Phaidra Knight in their 21-0 win over the USA U23s. The all-world New York player demurely said 'I guess I was being rested but then I don't want to assume I will start on Sunday.'
Well she started and she was part of a powerful defensive game that held the Pacific Coast backs in check despite their best efforts.
Northeast pressure early, with inside center Hedwig Aerts having a stellar game straightening the NRU line of attack and showing no fear against the Pacific Coast defense.
Northeast attacked early on and almost scored when wing Ellie Karvoski made an improbable grab of a ball that was bouncing into touch and rode the tightrope down to the tryling. But her foot grazed the touchline and she was called back.
Still this shook the Grizzlies a little, and minutes later Aerts sped wide and almost took the corner before being brought down. Pacific Coast were penalized and from the tap NRU sent it through the hands again. Karvoski burst through the centers, made a nice sidestep, and was in under the sticks.
It was, in retrospect, the killer blow. Neither team would score another try and NRU held the lead from then on. Flyhalf Kristen Baja slotted a goal for a 10-0 lead.
Both sides traded penalty goals in the second half. Pacific Coast had some opportunities; Ashley English is still a long-range danger, but she was bottled up pretty well. Overall the Northeast simply disrupted the scrumhalf to flyhalf link for the Grizzlies, forcing dropped balls, bad passes, and lost opportunities.
'It's all about the defense,' said head coach Craig Levine. 'We emphasized the defense in practice. They have been working on it 1 through 15 and we know defense wins championships.'
'It was a total team effort,' added Baja, who notched eight points with her kicking. 'Getting that try was so great for us, too.'
It was a disappointing performance for the Pacific Coast, who didn't look as polished as they were two days before. But it wasn't a sloppy, poorly played game like a 13-3 contest can be. It was played at full intensity with the rivalry of both coasts, the New York v. Berkeley aspect mixed in, and in the context of a group of international players itching for big-time competition. Pacific Coast didn't lose it, Northeast won it, and as USA head coach Kathy Flores said after the game, 'it's high time NRU won, frankly.'
Knight won MVP honors, but for our money Aerts was outstanding on the day, keeping the attack going and distributing well. New York's tight five were also impressive.
|
|
|
|
|
top |
|
|
|
|
|
