Great effort by the U18's girls in the Cup

Darts U18 girls made the long trip to Uckfield in conditions perfect for Rugby. Unfortunately the hosts were unable to get enough players so Darts move through to the semi finals of the competition. As it turned out Darts lent Uckfield three players and they played a 12 a side match. This would test the girls fitness on a big pitch in very hot conditions. Darts started really well and when they turned over the ball it was Emily who was on the end of the final pass and ran 40 yards to open the scoring. 0-5. Uckfield responded immediately when a great move in the centre saw them cut a great line to score under the posts. 5-5. It was then Darts who again had control of the ball and a good pass from Emily to BK saw the latter run powerfully through to score. 5-10.Again it was good work at the breakdown which saw Darts turn the ball over again and it was Lara who powered through the gap to score and Emily converted. 5-17.. Immediately from the kick off Lizzie took the ball and raced around the defence to score another try. 5-22. Georgie T was playing well and put in a couple of great hits to stop Uckfield in their tracks. Uckfield then got on to the front and forced a couple of penalties and following a 5 metre scrum their scrum half went round the short side to score in the corner. 15-22. Darts went onto the attack again but a couple of mistakes led to an Uckfield scrum but great pressure disrupted their ball and it was BK who picked up the loose ball and ran 40 yards and a brilliant tackle stopped her from scoring but she offloaded brilliantly to Lizzie who scored. Emily converted. 15-29. As usual Lola was leading from the front and she was supported well by Jess and both of them took the ball on well. Uckfield looked dangerous in the backs but Pip, Cecilia and Phoebe were marshaling them well and not allowing any breakthrough out wide.
In the send half Phoebe , Georgie T and Jess took over from Rebecca , Melissa and Georgia P who had all played well in the Uckfield team.
The second started and Darts were on the attack and when Rebecca took the ball on from a kick she recycled the ball well and after a number of phases Georgia, BK and Lizzie teamed up and it was Lizzie who went on to score. 15-34. Darts were defending really well and after a period of pressure near their own line Darts won a lineout and it was only great defending by Uckfield that stopped any further momentum for the visitors. Darts were getting good ball and Ellie was providing quick ball from scrum half to keep Darts on the front foot. Unfortunately for Darts Lara had to leave the field through injury but this galvanised the team and although the home team scored to close the gap to 20-3 the whole team were putting in a huge effort.. A great tackle on the line by Cecila and Pip stopped another score. Darts then attacked brilliantly forcing themselves deep into the home half but a loose ball saw Uckfield use their player advantage to counter attack 3/4 of the length of the field to score and convert. 27-34. Darts then showed great character to stretch their lead again when they chased the kick off strongly and turned the ball over. Emily took the ball on and fed BK who went over to score. Emily converted. 27-41. Again straight from the kick off Emily took the ball and went for the gap before popping the ball to Lizzie who again found space for the final score. 27-48.

A great effort by all the girls in what was an extremely entertaining match with both teams putting in a tremendous effort. A difficult choice for player of the match as all the girls who played for Uckfield deserve praise but in the end it was decided by the Uckfield players who chose BK.