The sun shone, pitches perfect and all the players where keen to get out after a well deserved break for Christmas festivities. Round 1 of the waterfall cup began against Sutton and Epsom. This year Surrey have decided to stream the waterfall cup matches, so we began the cup in the top tier of Surrey teams which will be a tough challenge.

From the warm up, the coaches were confident the girls had brought their game! The whistle went and we were not disappointed. Farnham received a high, hanging kick off and proceeded to put everything they practice in training to the fore. Fabulous work rate, speed to the rucks and offloads out of tackles meant S&E had to work really hard to get any possession. Phase after phase, one side to the other stretching the defense eventually released Polly (back from a broken bone in her hand earlier in the season), she sped through last ditch tackle attempts and scored the first try of the game - welcome back Polly we have missed you. You would have been forgiven for thinking we had a replay 5 minutes later when exactly the same multi-phase unreal handling sent Polly off again. 10-0 Farnham! S&E had barely had any attacking opportunity.

As the game settled down S&E found their feet. Fierce determined defense and powerful carries meant the initial 2 scores were not going to continue. Scrums and Lineouts were great contests and S&E had closed the gaps that allowed Polly to sneak in from outside centre. Keeping up the high work rate and offloading it was soon realised they had us matched player for player until Bea N-S chose her time perfectly to join the attack from Full Back creating the extra player and gliding through to open her account. Bea N-S has really found her feet at full back recently and again just like her first score she joined the attack to score her second.

S&E did not allow the half to go all Farnham's way and struck back on the stroke of half time to go into the break 20-5.

The girls thoroughly enjoyed the first half and refreshed with some 1/2 time snacks they were raring to get back out and finish the job. S&E received the restart and just like the first half made it difficult for Farnham to get any notable possession. Phase upon phase and some good kicks for touch from a couple of penalties gave S&E a great chance to get back into the game. They were patient and then sent a powerful runner in at pace and under the posts giving a simple conversion to get them right back into the game.

Both teams gave their all for the next 15 minutes trading blow for blow each getting another try setting up the last 15 minutes at 25-17. Farnham fought hard and deserved to pull away again through direct running and offloading. Bea N-S kept springing up in the right place at the right time and scored her 4 try of the day (converted) and was not out of the action when Zara managed to get over the line after a brilliant break by Renee and Scarlett. Final score 37-17 and the coaching team could not have asked for more effort. The forwards set the platform working hard all game at set pieces and keeping their speed to the rucks high.

POM (voted by S&E) Zara Harris
Coaches POM Bea N-S (4 tries cannot go without a mention)
Other notable performances - Everybody! It was a true team performance from every single player.
Special Mention: Magnus - Thanks for an outstanding performance as Ref. You will definitely be getting the call again :)