An unlikely fixture took place today after all Farnham Pitches were unplayable we were offered a move to Weydon and played out a very fierce Semi-Final of the National Cup South West Regional division. Unable to field a full team Havant brought 13 girls which we had to match! Frustratingly we were stopped from fielding our flankers who play a massive part in how we play.

But we took the field against oppo who we knew would be extremely physical and direct. Havant's pack was much bigger than ours and they used them very effectively carrying hard and direct round the fringes. Farnham were guilty in the early exchanges of not effectively placing guards and allowing their big ball carriers the ability to get up to pace before the tackles were coming. Havant also were much quicker and more effective than Farnham but we knew the Havant would get more and more tired as the match went on, we just had to hang in.

Havant got the first try and converted, then took a penalty as they knew later in the game points on the scoreboard would make a big difference. The game started to even out but unfortunately Havant again managed to break the gain line through powerful caries sucking in our defence and eventually had an easy run in out wide. The conversion was missed and we found ourself 0-15 down after 20 minutes. Farnham could bring on 5 sets of fresh legs and as we expected this made a big difference. Farnham manages much better to retain possession, partly due to tiring Havant pack but also better speed to the breakdowns by Farnham. Farnham 1/2 backs also began to get quicker ball allowing us to move the ball more effectively and really moving the Havant pack around the park.

Farnham struck back in the last 10 minutes of the 1/2 to finish 10-15 down at the break. Which wa hard s a fair reflection of the half. As disappointing as it was we were forced to reduce to 12 a-side following an injury to the Havant hooker resulting in uncontested scrums.

Havant realised at half time we could continue at 12 with contested scrums. So the second half began with Farnham believing they just needed to stay with Havant after the break as the match would progress our endurance and fresh legs would again tell! We traded tries in the first 20 minutes of the second half so with 15 minutes left and the score 15-22 it was all to play for. Havant were beginning to clear their lines with an air of desperation and following wave upon wave of Farnham pressure Havant turned the ball over in their own 22, and for once in the game their player of the match centre broke through, stretched our defense and went the length of the pitch scoring.15-27 down felt like a mountain to climb but the girls all stepped up.

By now we were down to 11 a-side and uncontested scrums to the end. This played into Farnham's hands though as we could rotate our front row who had battled courageously against the best front row we have come up against this season. Farnham created wave after wave of pressure and you could see the whole team believing. They all new the scores would come out wide if we could only get the ball out there. We finally got the key score 20-27 with just over 5 mins to go. Same intensity and belief from the restart and before we knew it we were banging on the door again. Havant fought had to keep us out and managed twice to hold us up over the line but eventually captain Ettie Hardcastle (fly half) went over for her 2nd of the day leaving us 25-27 down with 4 minutes to play.

Restart gathered and a break away through the centre of the pitch and we were clear. Havant's incredible cover defense scrambled and thwarted the line break. Dubiously stealing the ball in the breakdown (no clear release) by Havant lead us to think we had let it slip. Not these girls, extra effort in the breakdowns and we stole it back. Again phase after phase in Havant's 22 but relentless tackling made it very difficult. The clock was well in the red by now and we new one more mistake and that would be the end.

Finally an offload out of a tackle on a great line and Ettie H went over again sealing the victory with the last play of the game giving her a fantastic hattrick well accompanied by a brace for Jess White making an impact off the bench in the front row.

POM voted by Havant - Poppy Filer - tackled her heart out all day as did all the girls.

A great game sending us to the South West England Final against North Cheltenham venue TBC