Falcons Academy master Monkton quagmire

Playing their first home game in over a month, the Falcons Academy (FA) "welcomed" Basingstoke U18 Girls for the final regional group game. The victors would find themselves progressing to the knockout stage of the National Cup. Heavy constant rain had created an element of doubt over the game going ahead, but a mid-morning pitch inspection gave the green light.

Filthy from head to toe after the warm-up, both sides took a wee bit of time to find their rhythm in the early stages. Handling errors were a feature as the ball did is finest bar of soap impersonation. However, the heavy nature of the pitch also enabled Hattie and Ella to drive a couple of the opposition into touch and slide almost halfway to the car park! Chances were at a premium, but this soon changed after 14 minutes.

The FA were awarded a scrum on the visitors' 10-metre line. The ball made its way to Tegan who launched an intelligent diagonal kick which allowed the returning Emily V to chase, kick on herself, gather and crash over for the first try. No extras followed. Unfortunately Autumn picked up a knee injury during the build-up to the try and hobbled off to be replaced by Freya R.

With their tails up, the FA were into their work. Honor was only able to play the first half, but she left everything out on the pitch during that 35 minutes. None more so that her powerful 30-metre run through several Basingstoke players - and I mean "through"! Quick ball ended up in the hands of Ella . . . and we know the rest - try time! By all accounts she was running on empty after a late return from London, but that was not evident. The conversion was expertly dispatched by Tegan; 12-0.

However, almost immediately Basingstoke hit back. A series of missed tackles allowed the player to slalom through the midfield and dot down under the posts. Extras added the visitors were back in it. This foothold gave them growing confidence and passes were beginning to stick, but in the 28th minute one of those passes stuck in the mitts of Tegan. Her timely interception just inside the Basingstoke half enabled her to run in the team's 3rd try of the afternoon.

We didn't have long to wait for the 4th to arrive. Five minutes before the break Ella tucked the ball under her arm and went on a rampaging run (running on empty . . . aye, right!) and despite being upended she offloaded to Evie. And Evie flew! (I can hear the groans) This was a fabulous example of the type of rugby this team are playing - great determination, outstanding continuity, backs and forwards working in tandem. Bonus point secured by the half hour mark and Phoebe popped the conversion through.

With Basingstoke on the ropes, the FA were not going to let up. After several phases of front-foot rugby there was something of a stramash on the Basingstoke line; try was awarded. Much conferring on the balcony enabled us to identify the scorer as Emily R - her 1st of the season. Conversion missed, but the FA held a useful 29-7 lead as the referee blew his whistle for Haribo-time.

Defending the Shed end in the 2nd half, the FA had the sun (YES, the sun!) at their backs. This was a fairly attritional half of rugby as the effects of the pudding-like pitch started to show. There was no lack of effort from either side, but both did appear to tire as the half wore on - no surprise at all. Nevertheless, 10 minutes into the half FA worked their way down the right - deep into the Basingstoke half. The ball was worked across the backs into midfield and Ella made no mistake. Tegan was similarly accurate slotting over her 2nd conversion.

There was much huffing and puffing, but Basingstoke could not breach the FA defence. It takes all 15 players on the pitch remaining focused and delivering on those skills and drills to ensure a shut-out - that is precisely what the home side produced in the 2nd half. The cherry on the cake arrived by way of the 7th try. The FA laid siege to the Basingstoke line. Just as it looked as if their stout defensive efforts would repel the home team, Phoebe expertly slid in. The kick for the extras failed to deliver, but that useful half-time lead was now a comfortable 41-7.

Proceedings were brought to a halt; the teams acknowledged each other; the knockout phase of the National Cup beckons for the Falcons Academy; 36 washing machines within Hampshire and Surrey will be weeping at the thought of dealing with the mud-soaked kits.

A very good friend of mine popped along to watch the game today. Having seen the previous home game against Reading & Maidenhead, my friend said it was really noticeable how much more cohesive the team have become in those five weeks. For those who watch on a regular basis it is fair to say that we have also witnessed this development. Whilst it is the girls who have to deliver, the coaching team must also take a huge amount of credit for the work they do. That cohesion was evidenced further with Izzy K, Summer and Maisha (all making good progress on recovering from respective injuries) joining today's team for a photo after the game.

Time to rest, reflect, recover and recharge over the Festive break - all in preparation for a barrage of fixtures in 2024. With continued involvement in the National Cup, Surrey Waterfall and Hampshire League campaigns - the Falcons Academy continues to fly.

P.S. Mimi was one of 20 Falcons Academy players who delivered today - not a single failure in a black and white and filthy brown shirt. However, no try for Mimi suggests that her pre-match meal of prawn crackers and red velvet cake needs serious reconsideration!?