Ashford U14 v Darts U14 girls

3 Girls and their parents battled through driving raining just to get to Ashford's ground, thinking surely this can't last, can it‽
Oh yes it can was the answer!
A wet warm up saw the team in fine sprits even if the chat wasn't rugby related but come game time the girls were ready.
Darts received the kit and played with purpose if a little tentative which was hardly surprising given the torrential rain and the amount of puddles on the waterlogged pitch. Darts kept possession for the majority of the 1st quarter and whilst the first period ended nil -nil it was clear the girls were up for it and determined to dominate the game. Unfortunately, Ashford lost one of their players to a suspected broken nose, but Darts were able to lend Ashford a 3rd player to ensure the game could stay 15 -aside.
The 2nd quarter started in earnest with Darts upping the anti &pushing hard for territory and being busy in the tackle & ruck ready to pounce on any loose balls. When Ashford did enjoy some phases with ball in hand and gain some territory Darts girls were up to the challenge snuffing out any scoring threat and then making a turnover enabling the Dart girls to make a clean exit from their own 22 and put the pressure back on the home side. One great break from Tiff from deep in her own half saw her make 60+ metres before offloading to a supporting Lucy who also made some good ground up field before being tackled. From the ensuing ruck the ball was spun out and went down the line & into the hands of captain of the day, Leia who drew the up coming defender before putting in a great long pass to Maia who was hitting the line at speed and gassed the rest of the Ashford defence to score the first points, 5 – nil to Darts at half time.
Before the 2nd half kicked off both teams agreed that rather than play a further 2 quarters the game would be cut short as the conditions & temperature started to affect the girls. Darts kicked off and Ashford fielded the deep kick well and ran the ball back strongly making good ground into the darts half. Some sterling defence saw the Ashford player bundled into touch, giving Darts the throw into the lineout. A well rehearsed pre-planned move saw a shortened line and the ball passed quickly from Aoife at scrum half to the waiting back row, Ife gleefully received the ball and went rampaging up the pitch making a lot of hard yards with Ashford defenders falling like skittles, the supporting Darts back row ensured quick ruck ball and another strong run from Leia saw Darts deep into the Ashford half. Some more quick rucking and equally fast hands saw Tiff hit the line from fullback at pace and some neat footwork saw her cross the line for the 2nd try of the game, 10 – nil to Darts. Whilst the game briefly restarted a head injury to an Ashford player stopped the game whilst the home medics were attended to the injured player and in the interest of safety the referee rightly called full time.
A great effort by all 23 girls given the weather was horrific and a bit of a game leveller, but they stuck at their task and are improving individually and becoming tighter as a group as every week passes.
Ashford chose Aoife as back of the match as she had an amazing game with some accurate passing in very difficult conditions whilst her opposite number stuck to her like glue.
Ife was voted forward of the game for not only her strong running but also some big tackles and turnovers.
Lastly Leia was voted player of the match for some strong runs and marshalling the team & forwards in particular all game.
Ashford were unfortunately short on their usual numbers due injuries to regular team members but Darts girls gladly swapped their Maroon & Old gold shirts for the red, yellow & black hooped shirts of Ashford and played just as hard and competitively against their team mates whilst helping out the home team. This shows great sportsmanship and reflects the true values of Dartfordians & rugby as a whole; bravo.
We also saw another 2 debutants in Isabel & Elyse and would like to welcome them to the Dartfordians girls rugby family.
Next week see Eton Manor visiting Bourne Road in what will undoubtedly be a fiercely contested match.
COYD