THE Wight Wolves ladies played some of their best rugby at times in their latest touch rugby tournament, held at Aldershot and Fleet RFC.
With a depleted squad for their seventh seven-a-side tournament, the Wolves were forced to borrow players as substitutes from other teams.
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Their opening match against Andover was tough as they tried to adapt to playing with new players — but they defended resiliently, scoring tries through a Fordingbridge recruit and teenager, Phoebe Tombleson, in losing 3-2.
Phoebe and fellow teen talent, Rachel Lambert, both stepped up to play for depleted New Milton, with Phoebe scoring two tries and Rachel scoring one.
Up against Fordingbridge, the Wolves struggled, losing 5-1, with Rachel scoring the consolation.
Up against New Milton, the Wolves lost 5-4, with two tries from Phoebe, one from Rachel and the fourth by Shannon Carey.
Current league leaders Winchester were the Wolves' daunting next opponents, losing 6-1, with Shannon scoring.
Despite the team showing signs of fatigue, the Wolves stepped up their game against Aldershot and Fleet.
A cracking hat-trick from Phoebe, straight off the training ground, earned a 3-3 result.
And just when it looked as if tiredness had finally defeated the Wolves for their final match against Gosport, again, everything came together, winning 6-1 to end the tournament on a high.
"I've no idea how, or why, but this match worked. Everything clicked into place. It was stunning," said skipper, Claire Mumford.
"After all the training, repetitions and matches we had played up until now, this was an incredible match to be a part of and, for me, my favourite match I've ever played.
"I wish I had it on video. That was us playing the best rugby. The communication, speed and commitment gave us such an edge."
The Wolves came fifth out of seven teams, with tenacious new team member Emily Bulpitt an instant hit with team-mates.
The Wight Wolves train every Wednesday at Wootton Rec, starting at 6pm.
For more information about the Wolves, contact wightwolvesisleofwight@gmail.com, or visit the Facebook page, 'Wight Wolves Women's Rugby'.
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