1/3 On a blustery but dry day Georgia started the game off on the front foot making a decent 20 yard carry before Niamh repeated the trick down the right channel - running it home with a burst to the line. Niamh who was back to business after an injury lay-off also took the conversion but the odds were well against from a tight angle against the breeze and it fell short. Libby then soon extended the score touching down on the left this time from close in after Erin who was determined to score nearly got to the line from 15 yards out following a good passing move across the pitch. After the restart there was a nice phase of play when a strong tackle from Georgia forced a turnover and there followed a couple of great pickups in the midfield from Imogen and Erin whilst keeping forward momentum. Maddie then pulled a rabbit out of the hat by putting up a defence splitting kick which Imogen managed to collect and then step around a couple of defenders in one motion before offloading to Valentina on the inside right channel and Niamh this time managed to slot home the conversion. The home side, not to be outdone, finished the half strongly and their big player in the backs scored under the posts with a good turn of pace from 30 yards out and the try was converted to make it 17-7 to close out an entertaining first third.
2/3 Just after the restart the home team threw a couple of loose passes deep in their own territory and a marauding Libby pounced on the loose ball. Although there was nothing on the scoreboard yet Oaks were camped in the opposition half and then Anne-Marie made a burst of tackles in quick succession on the left wing as the home side tried to force a break down the blindside but they were struggling to get out of their own 22. Libby then ran through on the right but was stopped just short of the line and you wondered whether Sevenoaks would ever get the fourth try that their territory deserved. Shortly after it went nicely through the hands and Niamh passed to Jaime on the left channel to increase Oaks’ lead. Maddie then put up another kick (!) which Libby got on the end of before passing on to Jaime to score again on the left. Libby who was all over the pitch and who obviously had eaten an extra shredded wheat (!) for breakfast then made a good smash and then ripped the ball herself in the tackle.
Prior to the final segment Phil then rallied the troops with instructions to drive over in the rucks in defence and to draw opponents in when attacking before passing out to the wing as too often the ball was taken into the tackle with players free on the flanks.
3/3 In the final third the home team scored again to make it interesting. Libby, who was now at full back, collected a deep kick and made a fantastic mazy run evading and side stepping away from the home defence right up to the opponents 22 and this set the tone and territory to provide a good fluid passing move where the ball was nicely and quickly moved out to Valentina to score her second try of the day on the right - Phil was happy! Finally Jaime was fed from a combination of Libby and Imogen on the left who after a long game and against the wind just managed to hold off the despairing home defence for her hattrick with great determination and a long 40 yard run to the line – well done!
This was a great team performance and the opposition whilst being a decent and dangerous outfit were held expertly at bay. It was good to see Niamh returning and straight back to where she left off with a try and 2 conversions and Jaime for her 3 tries - unsure if she got the match ball! Big shout out too for Libby who gave a masterclass in defence and attack and seemed to be all over the pitch – well done! Every one of the girls played their part on a draining pitch and often into a bitterly cold, swirling breeze and yet some of the skills on show were outstanding! The girls enjoyed a well earned hot dog after the game in the warmth of the clubhouse.