A DEPLETED Wight Wolves side showed their levels of physical fitness and resilience to finish as runners-up in their sixth touch tournament of the season.
Out of the Hampshire League's eight teams, only four attended the event in Gosport.
The Wolves, struggling with depleted numbers, could only manage to field five players, with no substitutes, which pushed the side to their limits of physical endurance against some tough opposition, with larger squads.
The Wolves did not get off to the best of starts against Fareham, with the referee halting it — when the Islanders were winning — due to confusion with try lines.
However, with the game restarted, the Wolves picked up where they left off — getting off to a cracking start, with two tries from Rachel LAMBERT and one each from Shannon CAREY, Kady GIACOMELLI and Phoebe TOMBLESON to bring the score to a resounding 5-0 victory.
Their second match was against the home team Gosport, who had plenty of players and substitutes.
An excellent hat-trick by LAMBERT provided the bedrock to another great performance.
The Wolves excelled not only in attack, butt also in holding a strong defensive line, showing how well balanced the team is and progressed this season.
A brace by TOMBLESON completed a 5-1 rout.
Up against a strong Andover side, who had also won both of their games and with a full squad of ten, in their showdown final match, was a huge physical test for the Wolves.
The Wolves, with their depleted, but talented pack, began to feel the tiredness of not having rolling replacements to keep them fresh.
Despite another TOMBLESON try, in another determined performance, the Wolves were eventually beaten 4-1.
Afterwards, Wolves captain, Claire Mumford, said: "Happily and proudly we earned second place, which was well earned for our dedication and resilience in a tricky tournament.
"We're already looking forward to our next challenge, at Aldershot and Fleet, on May 21."
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