INJURY-hit Ruislip Eagles women had to call up the old guard for their clash with Thames on Sunday – but they still managed to secure a 23-18 victory in the English National League clash at Leyton SCORE Centre in London.Eagles were already without three of their key players to long term injuries, and faced Thames with three further key players missing including their top scorer, Danni Sposi, and influential defender Milli Chebanova. But they knew that if they were to have any chance of retaining the league, they could not lose this vital match.
So coach Mel Chowns stepped out of retirement, Rena Fairbrother and Andrea Szanto stepped up to play a full 60 minutes and Ella Jadeszko returned to cover Chebanova role in defence and the veterans combined well with their younger teammates to pull off an excellent victory.
Ruislip were also determined to give right winger Judit Volgyi a winning send off as she returns home to Hungary.
Ruislip started the better, but were soon pegged back by Thames who were also without key players but had Olimpia Lopes da Veiga in good scoring form.
Half time was a close one-goal lead for Ruislip but they stepped up a gear in the second half and Szanto began to really cause trouble through the centre and Volgyi scored from fast breaks and this ensured a key victory for Ruislip by 23-18. Da Veiga finished with 7 goals for Thames, a total matched by Szanto.
The win leaves the league delicately poised with Great Dane just two points ahead but having played a game more than Ruislip. Significantly, Ruislip’s goal difference is +12 on Great Dane and this could be the deciding factor at the end of the season.
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