“Despite what one might think reading the casualty list this was a very clean sportsman(or woman)like game. On more than one occassion both teams were down to less than 8 players a peice.

The opening touchdown following a daring leap from the elven catcher Mercury Glider rattled the opposition. But they came back fighting and squeezed a touchdown in the dying round of the first half.

In the second half the Goddesses powered onto the pitch leaving the Plates down to 9 men before they could respond. From there it was an uphill battle. Aina and her team controlled the ball well and ran down the clock so as not to give the Elves the opportunity to steal a last minute touchdown in the manner of their first.

The fans loved it and both coaches left with some positives and some things to think about. The L-plates clearly need a bigger squad having had to start 2 drives with only 10 elves.

The Goddesses may need to be more ruthless to beat a physically stronger opponent. They certainly have the depth of squad and the tactical awareness to go all the way and this pundit for one wishes them all the best.”