Army hang on against Belgian fightback
The Brtish Army hung on to win their game against Belgium in Saturday's Dave Gallaher Tournament in Zonnebeke, Passchendaele. Organised as part of a commemoration of the First World War (the game was followed by a match between Belgium's men and the New Zealand Defence Force) the tournament was named after the New Zealand captain, one of thirteen All Blacks who fell in the war.
Published by John Birch, October 4th, 2015
2 minute read
(Photo:Sportkipik)
The first forty minutes belonged to a well-drilled and fast British Army team, who score five unanswered tries, dominating the game in all areas, and leading by 33-0 at the break.
However, in the second half Belgium were able to call upon their Lille quartet ofCiska De Grave, Systke D'Haeseleir, Margaux Lalli and Nele Pien. The Army still managed to add a sixth try from the restart, but after that it was all Belgium with the Army now firmly on the back foot.Systke d'Haeseleir launched the Belgian fightback on the hour, taking advantage of an interception to spin into the in-goal (7-38). Margaux Lalli not followed suit four minutes later, the result of a stunning break on the wing (14-38), and then ten minutes later added another (21-38). However time was on the side of the vistors and they held out to win 21-38.
Belgium squad:Ilham Bahri (Boistfort), Sarah Basa (Soignies), Lotte Beckers (Dendermonde), Cécile Blondiau (Soignies), Cathy De Geyter (Boistfort), Carmen Dedonder (Dendermonde), Ciska De grave (Lille), Anouschka Devos (Dendermonde),Systke D'Haeseleir(Lille), Laura Fortemps (Coq Mosan), Lotte Heemeryck (Dendermonde), Margaux Lalli (Lille), Alison Lenaerts (Boistfort), Stephanie Lepage (Boistfort), Laurane lecloux (Boistfort), Nele Michen (Dendermonde), Céline Minon (Coq Mosan), Nele Pien (Lille), Gaëlle Portier (Coq Mosan), Delphine Rossignol (Boistfort), Virginie Sibret (La Hulpe), Eloise Stevins (Boistfort), Alicia Torre (Coq Mosan).