U18s Girls

New under 18’s girls head coach Garry Valler took his team for their first league fixture of the season against Beckenham RFC.
Beckenham were short so it was decided to loan four players and play 13 a side.

Our new look front row of Deni, Adele and the forwards captain Tierney, were supported at second row by Elizabeth and Emily with Millie at 8.
Kiera at 9 and Ewa at 10 linking with Holly at inside and Heather at outside centre, the back three of Olivia on one wing and new captain for this season Evie on the other, with Blessing at full back.

Their game started at a fast pace as directed by our forwards running straight at the heart of the Beckenham defence which allowed Elizabeth to score the first of her two tries within the first 5 minutes, this then set the tone of the game.
Our forwards dominated the scrum and rucks through the whole match, which provided a solid platform for Kiera and Ewa to set the tempo of the play by slowing the game through the forwards the releasing the backs with quick hands down the line,
these tactics allowed both Blessing and Heather to run in a hat trick of tries each,
For the second half the loaned players of Talli, Denni, Fiona and Poppy returned to our fold with Demi at hooker, Talli taking up an unfamiliar position for her at second row and Poppy in her new position as Scrumhalf, all of which slotted in to the tempo and tactics seamlessly.
positional changes were also made with Oliva switching to 10, Ewa to 12 and Holly to 13, which only hi lights the strength in depth that we have this season with further tries by Holly, Tierney and Ewa (who also converted 7 conversions).
then at the halfway point Elizabeth and Fiona who came on and straight away went on one of her trademark runs and powered through the defensive line and if not for a great tackle by the Beckenham fullback it would have been a certain try.

The game ended 7-65 which isn’t a bad way to kick our league campaign off

The scoreline as it was, showed the hard work and dedication the whole team have brought to each of the training sessions and the ability that is within the team,
but credit must also go to Beckenham because if they continue to show the heart and ability that they have will certainly cause a few upsets this season,

At the end of the day as coaches all we can do is to try to give our players the tools to be able to perform on a pitch, but all of our young ladies who represent our club today have taken what they have learnt and taken it to the next level but at the same time showed respect and sportsmanship towards the opposition in what can only be described as the true spirt of Rugby which is and will always be the Dartfordians
way.
Coach Michael Fiander