All pictures by Peta Nash.

On Sunday 12 April 26, the Kent County U16 Girls had their last of four playing opportunities for the season. Due to Middlesex pulling out a couple of weeks ago, the girls played each other in a winner takes all game. The girls remained in the teams that they had been playing in throughout the season, Kent Blue & Kent Red, which allowed them one last chance to play together before the end of the season. The teams were mixed in ability and with club mates facing off against club mates this could only lead to an exciting match. 

Match Report:

It was decided that the game would be split into 4 quarters.

Quarter 1:

Straight from the kick off the Reds were on the attack and started to dominate the game going over in the corner within the first 5 mins. Conversion missed. What followed was a lot of back and forth between the two teams before the Reds, applying continuous pressure on the Blue defence through a series of well-orchestrated rucks, went over to score their second try just before the break. Conversion missed. Blues 0 – 10 Reds.

Quarter 2:

The quarter started with the Reds putting the Blues straight on the back foot and scoring once again through dominant ball carrying, successful rucking and the offload. Conversion successful. Now 19 points down, the Blues really had to get back into this game and shutdown the dominance of the Reds. From the kick off the Blues started to come to life and a couple of minutes later, from successful hands down the line, the Blue winger scored in the corner. Conversion missed. Suddenly, the Blues came to life and through a series of using the tip off the pod and some forward dominance, the Blues scored two more converted tries in 9 minutes taking the half time score to Blues 19 – 17 Reds.

Quarter 3:

True to form the Reds were the first to score and straight from the kick off. The Reds caught the ball and proceeded to attack the blue defence through a series of well executed rucks, this drew the Blues in and exposing the gap for hands down the line to the full back coming through and making a 60m run to the line. Conversion successful. The Blues kick off again forcing the Reds into their 22m and not allowing them to leave; however, a resilient Reds defence held out and forced their way back up the pitch. The Reds were looking at scoring, yet another try, until they knocked it on just before the tryline. Blues picked it up immediately and passed it straight to their winger, who had the space and the speed to run the length of the field and score underneath the posts. Conversion successful. The Reds were not phased and once again they took the advantage from a Blue knock on from the kick, to score a well drilled back row move off the awarded scrum. Conversion Successful. Just as you thought the quarter would be over the Blues hit back scoring under the posts from the lineout. Conversion successful. Blues 33 – 31 Reds.

Quarter 4:

The Blues led into the final quarter with the Reds looking for one more score to secure the match. Both teams dominating in parts and the ball moved from end to end without any score. In the dying moments of the quarter the Reds were awarded a penalty just outside the Blue 22m, this was quickly taken and an offload pass from one of the forwards to the inside centre saw her weave through 2 or 3 Blues before going over for that all important try and subsequently the win. 

Final Score Blues 33 – 36 Reds

In Summary: What an amazing end to what has been a very successful season. The game was nail-biting at times, with no-one knowing who would leave the victor. It was a great display of solid teamwork as well as individual brilliance.  It was also a great lesson of resilience from both teams and the fact that the game is not over until the final whistle has been blown. All the girls gave a 100% and as coaches, that’s all we can ask. The skill and attitude of the girls during the game is a testament to how far they have come this season, and how strong our girls programme is both at County and club level. All the coaches and staff want to say well done to all the girls this season and we look forward to what the future holds.