Photo by Peta Nash
On Sunday 12 March 26, the Kent County U16 Girls team hosted Hertfordshire U16 Girls for the penultimate of their four inter County playing opportunities.
Finally, after playing their first two games away, it was time for the Kent U16Gs to play host to Herts U16Gs at a very windy and cold Medway RFC. The format of the day was to play two 35 min, 15-sided, fully contested games swapping opposition after each game. The aim of the day was to build on the feedback from the Hampshire game and to put in to practice the offensive and defensive drills that we had been concentrating on in training whilst still focusing on ‘Ball Always Moving’, ‘Back in Game’ and ‘Winning The Ball Back’
52 Girls were available to attend, these were split into two mixed ability teams, Kent Blue, and Red.
Kent Blue – Coach: Jeff Anderson
Kent Blues – Herts Green
With the wind at their backs in the first half, Kent made full use of the advantage. A mostly dominant pack laid the platform, carrying hard and consistently putting Hertfordshire under pressure deep in their own territory. The backs showed real ambition, moving the ball with sharp passing and confident offloading that kept the tempo high. At times, an extra pass might have unlocked even more opportunities out wide, but the intent was clear and positive. Kent led 10-0 at Halftime.
Playing into the wind after the break, Kent continued to show ambition. Some well‑constructed back‑line moves produced attractive attacking rugby despite the conditions. However, discipline proved costly. A high penalty count—particularly inside Kent’s own 22—invited pressure. Eventually, a wind‑affected clearance gifted Hertfordshire the field position they needed to snatch a late, match‑winning opportunity despite Kent’s determined defensive effort. Final Score was 14-10 to Herts Green
Kent Blues – Herts Yellow
Kent responded superbly in the second match. They used the wind intelligently in the first half, pinning Hertfordshire back and controlling territory. Into the wind after the break, the team played smart, running rugby—keeping the ball in hand, working in support, and showing far better game management. The improvement in adapting to the conditions was clear, and the overall performance was completer and more composed. Kent winning 28-10.
Kent Red – Coach: Steven Powell
Kent Reds v Herts Yellow
With 27 players to field over two games the matches were split into 4 quarters to ensure that every player had at least 20 minutes in their favoured position. The matches were defined by the weather as the wind howled down the length of the pitches from South to North. We were looking for an improvement in the aspects of rugby that we have been working on throughout the season and over the last few weeks and requested that the girls up the level of intensity and commitment. We saw just that. Despite the weather the players endeavoured to keep the ball alive, always looking for the offload or the pass before contact. The eagerness to keep the ‘Ball Always Moving‘, along with the exceptional winds on the day did however lead to a stop start game.
We had the ball and the wind for the majority of the first quarter and managed to convert that into 17 points with the winger getting over for 2 of them clearly showing the eagerness to produce 15 player rugby. The second half was a little harder to manage and despite spending some time inside the opposition half we just couldn’t convert the hard work or ‘Back in Game’ efforts to try’s. We were able to defend the line well though and only allowed a strong Hertfordshire attached over the line once. First match: 17 – 7 in favour of Kent
Kent Reds v Herts Green
The second half was very similar to the first – dominated by the wind, and a great effort by both teams to play free flowing rugby. The result was similar too with Kent in favour by 19 to 5. The wind was so strong that on one occasion Hertfordshire were caught out by a goal line drop out being blown back over the try line and infield for the Kent winger to score. The real result was an improvement in performance despite the conditions and a wonderful example of power and respect all at the same time. Both teams represented themselves and their counties admirably, and all the players will undoubtedly be role models to their younger club members.
In Summary: A significant improvement for all the girls since our last game against Hampshire. Both teams played with real fire in their belly’s, attacking relentlessly and pushing up hard in defence. The wind was the key contributing factor throughout all games, with the winning team being the one that could use it when they had it and adapted the best when against it. Winning 3 of the 4 games has given the squad a real confidence heading into our last game of the season against Middlesex on the 12th April 26 hosted by Tonbridge Juddians.
Well Done All!
