The Dorking U14 Girls dazzled in a lunchtime kick off against Farnham in round 5 of the Surrey Quins Cup Tier 1 league phase.
Looking to build on the previous weeks win over Guilberquintons the coaches pre-match talk was about focus and being up for the challenge. The girls met this challenge and some, and despite being the smaller of the 2 teams never took a backward step as defence was rock solid and the attack functioned like a well-oiled machine.
The tone was set straight from the kick off when fly half Rosie Matthews collected the ball and broke from one 22 to the other. The front row of Lola Kane, Oriana Fisher, Sophie Wells and Leah El Bizanti rotated through the match but held a level of dominance in the scrums we rarely see at this age group, putting the taller Farnham front row under constant pressure. The forwards battered holes in the opposition defence, regularly making yards past the gain line and drawing defenders in to give clean ball for scrum halves Emily Carloss (1st half) and Sophia Rodrigues Mann (2nd half) to provide distribution for Matthews to feed the constant threat from centres Evie Powell and Scarlett McSweeney to run at space and tiring defenders. McSweeney continued her prolific scoring rate with 5 more tries, the pick of which was an audacious catch behind her head running at full pace on halfway to glide through the defence and score in the corner. Powell was rewarded with a try in the 2nd half that were fully deserved for her leadership, work rate and strong carries in regularly setting up her centre partner .
The back 3, with wingers Ellie Chapman, Lucy Devaney and Harper-Leigh Thompson, together with fullback Izzy Gentle deserve honorable mentions for running support lines all day and carrying well when given the opportunity. Matthews' kicking from hand to touch was exemplary (maybe George Ford should come and watch us!!) and her conversion rate is a real bonus for the team and will be key in closer battles to come.
The work rate from the back row forwards of Sophie Smith, Lucy Cowlin and Molly Lighting, more than supported by 2nd rows Molly Bell and Talulah Kettlewell stopped all Farnham attack at source, gained hard yards, secured ball at rucks and gained regular turnovers through jackle pressure. Smith scored from a rolling maul, and Lighting deservedly touched down in reward for the powerful carrying and yards gained. This also earned her coaches player of the match.
Looking to build on the previous weeks win over Guilberquintons the coaches pre-match talk was about focus and being up for the challenge. The girls met this challenge and some, and despite being the smaller of the 2 teams never took a backward step as defence was rock solid and the attack functioned like a well-oiled machine.
The tone was set straight from the kick off when fly half Rosie Matthews collected the ball and broke from one 22 to the other. The front row of Lola Kane, Oriana Fisher, Sophie Wells and Leah El Bizanti rotated through the match but held a level of dominance in the scrums we rarely see at this age group, putting the taller Farnham front row under constant pressure. The forwards battered holes in the opposition defence, regularly making yards past the gain line and drawing defenders in to give clean ball for scrum halves Emily Carloss (1st half) and Sophia Rodrigues Mann (2nd half) to provide distribution for Matthews to feed the constant threat from centres Evie Powell and Scarlett McSweeney to run at space and tiring defenders. McSweeney continued her prolific scoring rate with 5 more tries, the pick of which was an audacious catch behind her head running at full pace on halfway to glide through the defence and score in the corner. Powell was rewarded with a try in the 2nd half that were fully deserved for her leadership, work rate and strong carries in regularly setting up her centre partner .
The back 3, with wingers Ellie Chapman, Lucy Devaney and Harper-Leigh Thompson, together with fullback Izzy Gentle deserve honorable mentions for running support lines all day and carrying well when given the opportunity. Matthews' kicking from hand to touch was exemplary (maybe George Ford should come and watch us!!) and her conversion rate is a real bonus for the team and will be key in closer battles to come.
The work rate from the back row forwards of Sophie Smith, Lucy Cowlin and Molly Lighting, more than supported by 2nd rows Molly Bell and Talulah Kettlewell stopped all Farnham attack at source, gained hard yards, secured ball at rucks and gained regular turnovers through jackle pressure. Smith scored from a rolling maul, and Lighting deservedly touched down in reward for the powerful carrying and yards gained. This also earned her coaches player of the match.
Farnham scored a consolation try with last play of the game, which was celebrated like a late winner to highlight the strength of character and rugby values Farnham have in their group despite coming up against a strong Dorking team who performed at the top of their level on the day.
The full time score was a deserved 44-5 win for the home Dorking girls.
The final league stage match pits the Dorking girls against bottom placed Richmond next Sunday, 1st March as we look to secure 3rd place ahead of finals day on 26th April.
Coaches player of the match: Molly Lighting
Opposition's back of the match: Evie Powell
The final league stage match pits the Dorking girls against bottom placed Richmond next Sunday, 1st March as we look to secure 3rd place ahead of finals day on 26th April.
Coaches player of the match: Molly Lighting
Opposition's back of the match: Evie Powell
Opposition's forward of the match: Orianna Fisher/Lola Kane (front row!)
1st Half Team:
1. Oriana Fisher/Leah El Bizanti
2. Sophie Wells
3. Lola Kane
4. Molly Bell
5. Talulah Kettlewell
6. Lucy Cowlin
7. Sophie Smith
8. Molly Lighting
9. Emily Carloss
10. Rosie Matthews
11. Ellie Chapman
12. Evie Powell (capt)
13. Scarlett McSweeney
14. Sophia Rodrigues Mann/Lucy Devaney
15. Izzy Gentle
1st Half Team:
1. Oriana Fisher/Leah El Bizanti
2. Sophie Wells
3. Lola Kane
4. Molly Bell
5. Talulah Kettlewell
6. Lucy Cowlin
7. Sophie Smith
8. Molly Lighting
9. Emily Carloss
10. Rosie Matthews
11. Ellie Chapman
12. Evie Powell (capt)
13. Scarlett McSweeney
14. Sophia Rodrigues Mann/Lucy Devaney
15. Izzy Gentle
2nd Half Team:
1. Oriana Fisher
2. Sophie Wells/Lola Kane
3. Leah El Bizanti/Lola Kane
4. Molly Bell/Ellie Chapman
5. Talulah Kettlewell
6. Lucy Cowlin
7. Sophie Smith
8. Molly Lighting
9. Sophia Rodrigues Mann
10. Rosie Matthews
11. Harper-Leigh Thompson
12. Evie Powell (capt)
13. Scarlett McSweeney/Emily Carloss
14. Lucy Devaney
15. Izzy Gentle/Emily Carloss
1. Oriana Fisher
2. Sophie Wells/Lola Kane
3. Leah El Bizanti/Lola Kane
4. Molly Bell/Ellie Chapman
5. Talulah Kettlewell
6. Lucy Cowlin
7. Sophie Smith
8. Molly Lighting
9. Sophia Rodrigues Mann
10. Rosie Matthews
11. Harper-Leigh Thompson
12. Evie Powell (capt)
13. Scarlett McSweeney/Emily Carloss
14. Lucy Devaney
15. Izzy Gentle/Emily Carloss
