The referee’s whistle blasted, signaling the start.The opposition kicked the ball, and everything turned to custard.Their player—Maia couldn’t remember her name—dropped the ball, knocking it on and giving the opposition team an advantage.
Rose, sitting beside her, cursed softly, not taking her focus off the run of play.Maia groaned because the girls were fumbling the ball like rank beginners.Nerves?Or pressure?Maia didn’t know, and that was up to the coaches to fix.
The opposition team capitalized on their mistakes and scored a try in the corner, to the delight of their supporters.They cheered and banged a drum in celebration.The kick to convert the try hit the upright and bounced off.The spectators groaned and shouted encouragement.
In the next set of play, Jan caught the ball, dodged a tackle, and fended off another player before going down.Her run steadied their team, and they played better, stringing together runs that took them close to their goal line.
“That’s more like it.”Rose jotted in her notebook.
Maia saw their players relax after several better passages, but her team got sloppy instead of focusing and working out how to get through the opposition.Amanda threw a pass that telegraphed her intentions.One of the opposite players intercepted the ball and charged toward the goal line, dotting down beneath the posts.
“And it’s a try to the Wellington Ravens,” the commentator cried.
Maia gave a silent groan, but the two other bench players weren’t as tactful.
“Wow, she’s always telling us how talented she is, and she makes a rookie error,” one whispered to the other.
“These things happen,” Maia said crisply.“We make mistakes.The challenge is to pick yourself up instead of spiraling into pity, losing your temper, or blaming someone else.”At least Jan was playing well.One player, however, couldn’t win by herself.Jan did everything right, passing when necessary and taking the ball to ground when required.
Unfortunately, the other girls held grudges, and tempers ramped up.When the first half drew to a close, Rose and Cameron held grim expressions, and Rose had written screeds in her notebook.She gestured for Maia and the other two players to follow her.
Maia steeled herself to listen to a blasting from the coaches, and as soon as they reached their dressing room, the concise bullet points dissecting their first-half game came in quick succession.They were playing as individuals rather than a team.Their ball handling was sloppy.They were letting the opposition rattle them.Set-piece play had gone by the wayside.They were kicking too much and needed to hold the ball.
“Megan and Harriet, you’re on for the second half.”
The two players who’d sat with Maia stripped off their gear and ran outside to warm their muscles before they jogged onto the field.
“Kathy and Wilhelmina, you’ll come off.Everyone else—watch your ball handling.Use kicking as a last resort, and start playing together.Pass the ball if you can, but use our set plays if you need to take it to ground.Jan and Zara, good game.Keep up the excellent work.Maia, I’m going to sub you on with about twenty minutes to go.”
“Okay,” Maia said, excited to have confirmation she would play.Getting the first hit-out behind her would be reassuring.Then, she could focus on improving and slotting into the team.
“I’ll give you instructions once the second half begins,” the coach said.
“Yes, Coach,” Maia said.
The break went fast, and soon, the two teams trotted onto the field.The referee’s whistle blew, and the game commenced.
“Oh, heck,” Rose muttered.Beside her, Cameron bit out a pithy curse.
Maia gaped at Amanda, their captain, who’d thrown a punch.
The referee sounded his whistle and plucked a red card from his pocket.Amanda scowled and stood her ground until Jan nudged her.Amanda stomped to the sideline where the coaches, Maia, and the two substituted players sat.
“Go to the dressing room and get changed,” Rose said, her mouth set in disapproval.“Once you’re done, come and join us.”She turned her focus to the game in a firm dismissal.
Despite being short one player, the team started playing better with Jan issuing orders.They attacked and beat the opposition team back to their goal line.
“She’s leadership material,” Cameron murmured to Rose.
“Yes,” Rose said.“Maia, start your warmup.We’ll sub you in ten minutes.”
Maia did some light jogging on the practice field next door.She stretched her limbs, and when the coach signaled her, she ran over and stripped off her tracksuit pants and jacket.
“Go in at number eight,” the coach said.“Tell Liz to come off.”
Maia nodded, pleased to play in her favorite position, and waited while Cameron signaled the referee that he was sending on a substitute player.
“Which number is coming off?”the ref asked as Maia trotted past.
