Israeli women’s rugby team hold London Pumas to series draw
The first London-based touring rugby side to visit Israel in nearly ten years saw their series with the Israeli women’s national side end in a draw.
Taking place at the picturesque Park Hayarkon, the London Pumas side were engaged in a titanic battle against their hosts – the Israel National Rugby Team / Israel Development XV over two enthralling days of action.
The event, which was organised by Project Israel http//www.projectisrael.co.uk and the Israel Rugby Union, ended in a 2-2 series draw, comprising of three games of Rugby 7’s and one game of 15’s. Rugby 7’s is the global code of rugby union practised mainly by the Israel team, while 15’s is the traditional version played primarily by the London Pumas, an invitation team drawn from London & UK clubs.
The Israelis, who were initially taken aback by the heavy tackling of the London team, showed skill and speed in winning the first two 7’s games by the narrow margin of a single try in each game, the speedy Israel winger Naama Isenburg scoring one of the tries, assisted by Melanie Kraus, who converted to rugby only a year ago and now lives in Israel.
The Pumas though, by now thoroughly acclimatised, bounced right back in the third 7’s game and overpowered Israel 19-5. Richmond prop Laura Kapo scored another fine try to take her tally to three in three games. Classy Llanelli Puma Rebecca de Filippo converted two out of the three tries.
In the 15’s game played the next day in front of a large crowd, the Pumas ran out convincing winners against Israel Development XV, by 57-7. Hampstead’s Alexis Bloom touched down for the Pumas, while winger Anja Grant scored three tries, with Pumas captain Jo Emslie adding a brace. The best tries came from Sylvia Chan and Sian Williams who both ghosted past several tacklers to touchdown after quick ball down the Pumas back line drew the Israeli defence.
Israel, who were outclassed in the 15’s but nonetheless resisted well, scored a well constructed consolation try in the final minutes of this match. Their best players were Daniela Gofberg and Bronwen Rosenblum-Manning who play for the Jerusalem Lionesses and Haifa rugby clubs respectively. Ofer Hamburger, the Israel Development Coach and former national men’s team prop forward, can take great credit in the performance of his team and can build from this.
All in all a wonderful week for both the hosts and the visiting London team, as a full itinerary plus the hospitality of the home union left both the Israelis and the British team with some very special memories. Israeli and British players socialised together of their own choice during the entire tour, which speaks for itself.
In the light of the recent World Masters Judo Championships, where the Israel team got consistently booed, it was a pleasure to see the Israel national flag and the Flag of St George fluttering side by side as the players posed for post match photos together. The Friendship Trophy was awarded by the IRU to Ellisha Dee the Pumas co coach.
More Project Israel sports tours are on the agenda but funding is needed. It’s regarded by many, after only 3 months in existence, as the best idea out there to combat the anti Israel boycott campaign.
SERIES RESULT: ISRAEL 2 LONDON PUMAS 2
INDIVIDUAL GAME RESULTS:
7’s match 1: Israel 7 Pumas 5
7’s match 2: Israel 15 Pumas 10
7’s match 3: Israel 5 Pumas 19
15’s match: Israel 7 Pumas 57
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
