This Sunday saw the first proper game for the U18’s Girls team after just about drying out from the torrid stormy conditions over at the injury, weather and stoppage plagued "pitch up and play" in Tunbridge Wells in September. Conditions were nigh on perfect as the girls travelled up to Dorking to take on a composite team made up with players from Dorking, Cobham and Hove. The rain held off and we were bathed in a sort of sunshine and being overlooked by the very picturesque Surrey Hills.

Hove (as they will be known from here on in to save time) opted to kick off. Crowborough, expertly helped out with a few East Grinstead players, gathered the kick off and went about forming an attack with a few forwards runs and a couple of backs moves to test the defence. Had Crowbrough moved the ball to one more player in the opening minute, there could have been an early try for the red and white warriors. Alas, it was not to be as Hove, who were strong in the tackle and stronger at ripping the ball turned us over and nearly scored in the corner had it not been for some sterling defence and a huge clearing kick from full back Natasha Beesley. Some more resilient defence followed until their big, strong and athletic No. 8 broke the line to score Hove’s first try under the posts. Conversion was missed wide so 5 - 0 to the hosts.

Crowborough kick off and kicking duties were down to Eva Murray. Hove on anther immediate strong attack and another line break halted by Erin Mcardle’s usual robustness in the tackle albeit resulting in a Hove penalty. The awareness of the Crowborough line not quite being set wasn’t lost on Hove and they set about taking a quick tap and go. Backpedaling, the Crows managed to get back into shape and get a tackle in on there isolated attacker. Lara Frank realised this attack was on her own and after a textbook jackal, won the ball back for Crowborough.

It was Crowborough turn to put some pressure on with a few well placed forward phases with great resourced rucks set the backs into action with Maja breaking the defensive line and was striding off with a blur of claret and blue giving chase. But even with the support of Eva, the Hove defence managed to pin us back but the metres gained from this break was superb. The ball was turned over and Hove had a big overlap on their left wing and were in for a certain try had it not been for Natasha’s sheer determination to get back and floor the attacker. There was a great offload from Hove which should have been an easy run in but, with equal gusto, Lara was back there to thwart their efforts. More resolute defending followed until their no.8 broke through again to score try number two. This time the kick was converted which made the tally 12-0 to Hove.

Eva to kick off again which saw a spirited chase of the ball and the pressure paid off as Hove were penalised for hands in the ruck. Seeing an opportunity, Matilda Dyton, who carried superbly all game, tapped and went and gained us nearly 30 metres after a marauding run at their defence pinning them back in their 22.

First scrum of the day to Hove and our new front row of Katie Jupp and Pia Hucker ably assisted by the experience of Jorga Shelford from East Grinstead performed well and stopped any attempted push from Hove. Clearance kick from the back of the scrum was scooped up by Natasha after one bounce and was run back into deep Hove territory with a lithe and step filled run from our full back. Unfortunately, the Hove girls were experts at doubling up in the tackle with one focusing on legs and the other on the ball which led to a turnover and try run into the corner. The kick was at an angle that Marcus Smith may have struggled with which left the score, somewhat unjustifiably at 17-0 to Hove.

The next kick off was a monster from Eva reaching the opponents 22 making them turn to gather. Some great pressure from the reds saw Matilda dive on the loose ball on the floor and win possession back to borough just outside their 22. The next few minutes led to some good probing from the Crowborough attack but we couldn’t quite penetrate the Hove 22 as they put up a very strong, defiant claret and blue wall. The constant battering was wearing down both teams and another line break from their no.8 resulted in a try. Kick was scored making it 24 - 0. Even with the score standing like it was, the combo of Crowborough and EG didn’t show any dampened spirits. They started the next phase of play strong with good defence and string of tackles especially from inside centre Cerys Martin who topped the tackle (and probably shouting) count for the day.

Crowborough were awarded a scrum on halfway. The ball was hooked brilliantly by newcomer Katie Jupp and then picked up at the base of the scrum by our No.8 Hailey Gorringe, another newcomer to the club but not to rugby as her confidence and ability to take the ball into contact showed. The resulting ruck was, as they all had been all day, robust and well marshalled by our scrum half Emily Whittacker who played a blinder! We were turned over but after a few big hits from Emer Harris she emerged with the ball to present to our attack once more which led to our penalty. Some more big caries from both second rows, Matilda and Erin, set up a great pass and loop with Emer to Maja to Eva and then Maja making herself available for the outside pass on the wing which eventually led to a lovely switch move where Cerys took the ball nearly onto the 5 metre line. The closest we had been all day. Crowborough pinned Hove back and they couldn’t get out of their 22 even with 2 attempted clearances, the joint efforts of Eva and Natasha at the back kept the pressure up by some great hands and footwork which Strictly contestants would die for.

Some strong forward work followed with a great run by Pia and solid ruck work from Keira to secure the ball. More big carrying from Hailey who drew the defender with aplomb and tipped the ball into the path of a charging Erin to exert even more pressure on the waning Hove defence. Now Hove realised that they were in a game. A lightening quick presence of mind from Emer to take the resulting penalty quickly, led to our first try. Superb efforts from all players to peg the hosts back a bit on the scoreboard. No conversion so we were at 24 - 5.

A big kick off from Hove saw another great recovery run from Natasha which led to a sublime show of hands from the entire back line to get out of our 22. Our scrum led to another great break from the backs with 9 to 12, back inside to 15 to fool the defence into switch their weight to the other foot only to dazzle them with the old Louisiana switchero (made that up) and move the ball onto the left wing through Maja and Eva bamboozling the Hove defence.

Another 2 tries before half time saw the score pile up to 36 - 5 at the half whistle. These numbers were in no way a reflection of the heart that Crowborough were playing with.

We had sadly lost Emily to a head knock just before half time which meant Gabby from East Grinstead who had donned a hove shirt to match numbers was back in a more familiar red and white. We all hope it’s a quick recovery for Emily. Injuries are a part of the game but this was a real blow as Emily was having and amazing game at 9. Fortunately, we had Eva Murray who expertly stood in at scrum half.

Hove scored early on but it wasn’t made easy for them. They showed some super hands in the offload to make the space and score but still the Crowborough spirit remained intact.

The next phases of played displayed that we can not only secure our own ball in the ruck, but we can also counter ruck with the strongest of teams. Textbook tackle from McCardle then Emer, Matilda and Keira put their shoulders to use to push their ruck backwards like they weren’t even there to secure the ball for distribution leading to a borough penalty. Another surging drive from Dyton saw us gain 20 metres in the blink of an eye. The back with another lovely move with a dummy from Martin to confuse and befuddle Hove, the pass from Harris out to Maja set up Amelia from EG to step inside and attack. Brilliant support play from Borough was on display here leading to another penalty to us inside the 22. Even with the defence set, the unstoppable force of Hailey, Erin and Matilda couldn’t be tamed as Hailey Gorringe went over for our second of the game and her first try in red and white!

With the bit between our teeth, the girls were galvanised by the try and we set about Hove to rattle them some more. They came at us and showed more excellent hands in the offload but they came up short when a bit hit from Emer and resulting pressure from our pack meant they had no option to hold onto the ball in the ruck for fear of losing out again and the ref, who was impeccable all game by the way, awarded Crowborough with a penalty.
Nice clearance from Lara to set up an attacking line out.

Scrum time just inside our half and a great move with Hailey moving away from 8 as Eva picked the ball from the scrum. Eva was targeted and popped the ball with Swiss accurate timing into the charging Hailey who ran from our 22 to the opposition 15 metre line setting up more immense phase play resulting in being taken into touch.

Hove line out ball was won very cleanly only to see a rare errant pass give our defence an opportunity to apply more pressure with the diminutive powerhouse Cerys absolute snotting her opposing number resulting in us turning the ball over. We went close with great hands, amazing offload from Emer only to see Amelia just get taken into touch before being able to dive for the line. Amazing attacking rugby to watch!

Scrum time again with a huge shove from Crowborough against the head resulting in a free kick. This time though Hove were wise to the might of our forwards and targeted the legs lifting Hailey up to stop her momentum. They made a huge break which looked a certain try had it not been for another try saving tackle from Natasha. The did manage to score again shortly after this with another try for - you guessed it - their no.8.

Into the last part of the game with some tired and battered brave souls out on the field. After a fantastic catch with the ball going above her head, Natasha returned fire with a brilliant kick into space with a follow up speedy chase. Her pressure forced the error from their full back which our forwards pounced on and forced them to cling onto the ball on the ground. Tap and go from Hailey made the necessary metres to put us in position for one more forwards ball to score. Erin picked and went and with the Referees arm raised we thought we had scored again only for him to retract the arm before the whistle was blown to say the ball had been held up. Without a TMO, we’ll never know but I’m pretty sure we scored.

Another injury meant we lost the dynamic dynamo Dyton for the last section of the game. Matilda had been a relentless force in both defence and attack all match and we all wish her a speedy recovery.

Crowborough scrum with Gabby moving in from the wing to replace Matilda in second row and we won the ball to see our back show some flair and Emer go close in the corner and earning a penalty in the process. Another forwards tap and go saw us go over for our third try of the game. This one was bagged by Jorga from EG.
Unfortunately, another try in the corner was making it really hard for Lara to nail any conversions but the attempts were all great efforts.

A final try for Hove sealed the game to make the final score something like 56 - 15 which sounds like a big score but honestly, without bias, I don’t think reflected on what we saw on the pitch.
Crowborough and EG played some great rugby and left everything out on the pitch. There was great heart and courage from the forwards, huge tackles from the back line and one of my favourite take aways was the spirit in which the game was played TOGETHER. The team work and support shown for one another was inspiring and things will only go from strength to strength with this team.

A massive thank you to the parents and travelling support who were as per usual, in great voice supporting these brave players. And a huge shout out to Freya Dyton for running the water on for the girls. Thank you Freya!

Even though it was a tough day at the office, every single young woman on that pitch did themselves, their families and the club proud today. Inspirational rugby.

Go Crows!