Guildfordians 57 v Farnham U16 Girls 20

Round 2 of the Waterfall Cup away against the pre-Christmas Surrey Cup winners was always going to be a very tough match.

We had the hill in the first half and although early exchanges were matched blow for blow the first score went to Guildfordians. It was the boot of their outstanding 10 that would push the difference all day, a sweet strike made it 7-0. Farnham then chased well at the kick off and retrieved the kick running hard at Guildfordians defence. Quality breakdown work from the Farnham pack allowed quick ball and with her first touch of the match winger, Amy Gelder took the ball at pace and Guildfordians could only hang on as Amy got us back in it shocking Guildfordians supporters.

It wasn’t log however before Guildfordians pushed home the advantage with their 9/10 combination and with a grubber through our resilient defence, their speedy scrum half pounced for a score under the posts, and to show her skills scored again out wide to push home an advantage for what had been an evenly contested battle in midfield. Adding both conversions pushed the score out to flatter Guildfordians 21-5.

Farnham began to rest some players who had worked very hard in the initial exchanges whilst Guildfordians instead spent long periods of time with tired / injured players resting. As it transpired Guildfordians only had 15 players and as an injury occurred to their prop / captain, Farnham were forced to drop to match numbers, playing into the hands of a fast Guildfordians set of backs. A very disappointing statement where a club with such quality as Guildfordians do not attract/encourage more players to join their squad. this will surely show in years to come….

As Farnham fresh legs came on and kept the intensity up the second quarter of the match was a very balanced affair with Guildfordians taking it 7-5 (with their unbelievable fly half 4 from 4 in the first period!). Half time and Guildfordians lead 28-10 - the first half lasted 50 minutes with 15 minutes being awarded to Guildfordians to look after injured players.

The second period started with a well worked Guildfordians try for their Captain but it was to be her last part to play in the game. Farnham forced to reduce to match 14-14 players…. The gaps opened up and as much as we tackled and pressed the speed and experience of Guildfordians backs managed to create overlaps and scored several times.

Eventually the high tackle count reduced Guildfordians to 13 for a period and Farnham pressed home the advantage getting back onto the score sheet with some gritty determined running and great support. Emily Stenning popped up out wide and stretched the Guildfordians defense to score! Again not to finish on a low the last 5 minutes saw as much effort as the rest of the game, and our winger Polly went over to bring a bit of respectability to the result.

57-20 a deserved win for quality opposition but the result did not show how hard Farnham fought. Tackles made by the centres Zara, Sophie and Issie were unbelievable, the commitment and intensity shown to our new defensive structure by the back row meant not much got through round the fringes. Emma (flanker) jackaled all game stealing ball frequently meaning Guildfordians had to work extremely hard all day at the breakdown. Neve, Chloe, Hattie, Ellie , Lilly and Emma F worked impressively as a pack whilst the front rows Amelie, Jess, Gracie, Honour and Emily made life difficult all day at scrum time! Which only leaves me to mention the outstanding 1/2 backs and back three who tackled all game only leaking tries as the space opened up when we had to drop players…. Bea another outstanding game at full back and without the ball Freya / Darcey (scrum halves) and Phoebe / Emily S (Fly Halves) provided the centres with we would not have been able to allow our wingers the time and space to prevent Guildfordians having it all their own way.

POM: Zara Harris voted by Guildfordians
Coaches special mentions: Emma P work at the breakdown, Lily M for her dogged work in the pack and Sophie Duckworth for scaring the life out anybody that came near in the mid field.