The familiar foes of Farnham U16 girls's and Trojans both took the field for their first foray's into the National Cup. Trojans confident from the meeting earlier in the season at their place and Farnham ready to switch fortunes @ home.

As expected the match felt like 2 heavy weights slugging out over the course of 70 minutes. Neither team managed to wrestle control. The forwards nullified each other and thankfully learning our lessons from earlier in the season Farnham kept shape in defence and did not allow the speed of Trojans back 3 any space to work their magic.

Farnham struck first blow with multiple powerful carries from the centres, darting and weaving runs from the wings and superb clearing out and ball protection offered from the forwards. It was almost inevitable that returning captain Zara Harris (12) took the final carry over the try line to score for Farnham, converted effortlessly by Full Back Bea N-S. Trojans struck back quickly and as a reminder to Farnham beware of the pace out wide Trojans found an overlap and scored by the corner flag leaving a tricky conversion from the touch line which they got to Trojan supporters jubilation. Once Farnham had been reminded of the speed out wide it never threatened again all game, confidently welcoming the speed to try and run back in through resolute defense. Half time and a fair reflection of a scintillating game 7-7.

The second period began with similar ferocity and although the defense held strong Trojans wisely opted for territory from a very good kicker allowing them to build some time in our 22. Eventually the pressure told and and unfortunately Trojans managed to force themselves over through their power runners next to the post. A simple conversion gave Trojans a 7-14 lead. Immediately upon the restart Farnham pressed forcing Trojans to spill the ball which allowed Farnham begin a 5 minute bashing at the Trojans defensive line. It was beginning to feel like it just was not going to happen for us but another Farnham scrum 15m infield on the 22 and Hattie Gibbon (8) player of the match picked up from the base driving hard at the covering defense gave Farnham momentum and Freya (9) Phoebe (10) move the ball quickly while the Trojans defense tried in vain to reset giving Zara Harris all the space she needed to go over for her second try out wide. A great effort from Bea N-S on the conversion but just didn't quite have the legs. 12-14 Trojans with 5 minutes left.

Not done Farnham pressured a hanging restart and whilst Trojans caught the ball Farnham powered over only to be thwarted by Trojans holding on to the ball on the floor. Penalty Farnham on the 22 in front of the posts. The shouts of 'kick it' from the sidelines I think were misinterpreted and we took the brave choice to kick for the lineout (lessons learnt there!). The following lineout inevitably was lost and Trojans had the opportunity to clear their lines which they struggled to do. Farnham again put a huge defensive press on and finally Trojans were penalised again for holding on. Deja Vu - Penalty on the 22m in front of the post. This time the cries of kick it were understood (along with running the kicking tee on.....). Up stepped a a confident Gracie Price like she had been waiting for this moment all game. Straight through the posts for a 15-14 lead with only 2 minutes on the clock.

The final 2 minutes lasted an eternity but tack after tackle meant the final whistle was getting closer and closer. By this point the referee had decided Farnham's penalty count had reached enough and gave one of our tackle machines Jess White (2) a yellow card meaning we would see out the dying seconds with 14 defending our try line. Still resolute the girls tackled everything, held up Trojans over the line twice and when Neve Dawson (Back Row) ripped the ball from Trojans back into the hands of a welcoming Farnham player to clear we hoped the job was done. The ref saw it differently and gave Trojans a scrum under the posts for a knock on. A solid scrum from both teams meant all the Farnham forwards were tied in and although the backs all made their tackles the player advantage allowed Trojans to finally find the gap to score the winning try.

The ref allowed the kick of to be taken. Trojans gathered and after screams of kick it our from their sideline they finally got the message and a pulsating game ended 15-19 in favour of Trojans.

If that is what National Cup brings, yes please. A great game played in really good spirit.

Hattie Gibbon (POM voted by Trojans)
Everybody else amazing!