Dartfordians U12 Girls attend Dartford Valley Friday Night Lights pitch up and play

On a dreary damp night Dartfordians U12 Girls ventured down the road to join other teams from across Kent to participate in some friendly local games. What we didn’t anticipate was a total downpour as the coaches were briefed on the format of the evening!

However, the girls got stuck in and started warming up passing the ball around and welcoming a lone player from Sevenoaks into the team. We then discovered that our cluster had fallen through due to a last minute team withdrawal. As the rain fell, Dartfordians girls continued their warm up on the side line whilst Tonbridge Judds, Tunbridge Wells, Dartford Valley and Medway kicked off their first games.

Then it was Dartfordians turn to show off our rugby skills - in a Barbarians team including Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Judds the girls showed true team spirit against Tunbridge Wells who quickly opened the scoring following a turnover on the try line. The girls responded with some great ball handling and Freya went steaming through fending off a number of defenders to open the Barbarians account to level it 1-1. Holly showed excellent support to receive an off-load from Violet who kept the ball in play as she was tackled close to the side line. Some amazing rugby was on display with excellent passing and superb runs during which the Barbarians saw another 4 try’s including another from Dartfordians Freya and Elizabeth to finish 5-1 to the Barbarians.

Dartfordians second game saw Tunbridge Wells join the Barbarians team against a strong Dartford Valley side who were again quick to open the scoring with the first try. The girls put in some strong tackles, some at speed, to push back a strong opposition - Talia tackling the DV ball carrier into touch to win a turnover. Elizabeth also made some strong tackles and stole the ball from the opposition leading to another try. Freya’s run from the centre to cut off the player on the wing was incredible, however, Dartford Valley maintained possession to score their third try. Once again we saw tries from Freya and Elizabeth, then a superb break through from Talia saw her cover 3/4 of the pitch only to be brought down just before the try line as the whistle was blown to end the exciting game 4-3 to Dartford Valley.

All the girls played with incredible team spirit, with players they had never met before, with safe tackling, accurate passing, great ball handling and supporting their team mates in the ruck and open play. This was even more amazing due to the heavy rain and cold winds on a mucky autumn night.

A proud evening all round finished off with hot dogs and hot chocolate to warm us all up!

And a big thank you to all the supporters who braved the rain and cheered us along.

Vicky Smith
U12's Head Coach