With the girls looking forward to their first 15 a-side fixture on Friday morning we had no oppo after an unfortunate cancelation. Havant & Gosport stepped in at the eleventh hour to ensure we had oppo and once the rain stopped, perfect conditions and 30 eager girls ran out to show the excited crowd just how much the girls are enjoying their rugby.

The first period Farnham dominated as the ball was put in the hands of our powerful runners as ball was moved away from the breakdowns quickly and accurately. After 15 minutes Farnham took a 19-0 lead with tries from Hattie x 2 and Sophie C with conversions from Zara and Gracie. Coaches and players could not have been happier with the start. But then following an injury to our energetic scrum half Darcey and a massive improvement by Havant at the breakdown the tide turned, Havant began to dominate the breakdown and clawed their way back into the game. By half time Havant had returned with 2 converted tries (Havant kicker Fion never looked like missing the conversions!) and there was a 19-14 half time game on!

Farnham rallied and battled at the start of the second half, however just as the phases were building and Havant were looking under pressure the ball spilled out of a ruck Havant pounced on it releasing a speedy winger who ran 3/4 of the pitch handing off anybody that got close running in a score to set up a great finish. Fion converted again giving Havant a 19-21 lead. From the restart both sides fought hard but mistakes crept in with several knock-ons leading to a period of a lot of scrums. Farnham grew strong in the scrums but a tenacious effort by Havant's stand in scrum half meant even though we dominated the scrums Farnham never managed to get clean ball to build attacks. Eventually the ball spat out of the back of a scrum Farnham took against the head. Chloe (Flanker) reacted quickest picking up the loose ball and with the try line in site there was no stopping her. Gracie Price converted leaving Farnham 26-21 with 10 minutes to go.

Farnham grew in confidence and played mostly in or around the Havant 22m. As hard as Havant fought for the ball the pressure told and after multiple strong carries from the Farnham forwards, finally they released Zara who had been waiting for an age in the centres, twisting out of the tackle and powering over. Zara converted her own score 33-21. With 5 minutes left Farnham's powerhouse prop Kerrie took the kick off and ran direct into the Havant half, a good clear out from Farnham finally gave Charlotte (scrum half) some quick ball to work with. Going blind Hattie carried hard and again going blind Chloe carried the ball over the goal line but last ditch defending from Havant saw them hold up Chloe who deserved more for a great move. The resulting goal line drop out was carried hard towards the posts and rather than pounding at the line Farnham used hands and gave Evie (hooker) a rare opportunity on the day fighting over the goal line and just getting the ball down before the Havant defense came in to dislodge the ball.

The resulting conversion came up short but what a game, thoroughly enjoyed by all! Farnham 38-21 Havant.

Thanks to all at Havant for making the match happen. Hopefully we will manage to fit in a reverse fixture at some point this season!

Awards
POM: Zara Harris
Coaches award: Kerrie Kelly
Team player: Hattie Gibbon