The USA Rugby Women’s U18 15s program has wrapped on its summer programming, banking invaluable time together both at home and abroad in Wales.
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“Forty players gathered at a development camp at Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Md., from July 13-19, then 26 continued on to Cardiff, Wales,” USA U18 head coach Sue Whitwell explained the build. “Players were identified through attending local Talent ID days, tournaments like the High School National Championships, National All-Star Tournament in Florida, Great Northwest Challenge in Montana as well as local and regional coach recommendations.”
The group then traveled to Cardiff, Wales, and warmed up with three 30-minute matches on July 23. Elite Girls Rugby League was on the ground and recorded the day’s action: watch here.
Photo: Shane Flynn
There were several law variations in effect, including:
– The team who concedes points will gather at the 50 meter line (rather than behind the posts)
– There will be no scrum resets- a free kick will be awarded instead.
– No kicking for posts on a penalty.
– 3 mauls total are all allowed per game per team.
– 30 seconds to kick the conversion kick from point the try is scored.
– Yellow Card: player receiving the card must leave the field, but may be replaced by another player immediately
– Red Card: Player receiving the card is done for the rest of the day. Player may be substituted 10 minutes post red card.
– Tackle height must be below sternum.
The USA adjusted well to the short games and law adjustments. Aleksandria Gabbard, Rebecca Balladares and Sana’a Luton scored tries against Scotland U18s, and captain Bella Vogel slotted all three conversions in the 21-0 win. The U.S. also shut out Netherlands, 24-0, and saw Marley Larkin score two tries, Layla Cox and Annie Henrich also dot down. Henrich and Vogel hit a conversion apiece. And then the day ended with a big win against host Wales, 38-5. Emerson Callegari, Dana Greer, Sam Levine and Gabbard (2) were among the try-scorers, and Vogel slotted the extras.
RELATED: Gabbard Plots Own Path to USA U18s
Photo: Shane Flynn
On Saturday, July 27, the USA U18s played a regulation 15s match against Wales. The home side won the first half, dotting down two tries and a conversion for a 12-0 lead. The junior Eagles came roaring back in the second half, and hooker Rebecca Balladares rumbled across the try line for the team’s first try. Captain and flyhalf Bella Vogel added the extras, 12-7 to Wales. Then reserve outside back Dana Greer intercepted a pass in Wales’ half and returned for a try. Vogel converted for the 14-12 edge. There the scoreline held until the final play of the game, when Wales used a penalty advantage to score in the corner, 17-14 the final. Watch the full replay courtesy of EGRL.
USA U18 ROSTER v WALES
1 – Camryn Cook
2 – Rebecca Balladares
3 – Teka Williams
4 – Drew Dauser
5 – Natalie Allen
6 – Alyssa Hine
7 – Cora Haughey
8 – Alyssa Post
9 – Nolah Flynn
10 – Bella Vogel (c)
11 – Kiyanah Edwards
12 – Emerson Callegari
13- Marley Larkin
14 – Sana’a Lunon
15 – Sam Levine
16 – Jennie Weiner
17 – Salote Valikoula
18 – Dana Greer
19 – Layla Cox
20 – Anna O’Leary
21 – Eseta Pale
22 – Annie Henrich
23 – Maeve Delaney
24 – Vasiti Turagavou
25 – Alekandria Gabbard
26 – Bailey Borum Gray
27 – Jess Pascoe (INJ)
Staff:
Head Coach: Susan Whitwell
Asst Coach: Orlando Pulou
Asst Coach: Kelly Griffin
Manager: Stacy Mancuso
Trainer: Kiah Sundermeir