DORKING 48 – 0 BATTERSEA IRONSIDES/LONDON IRISH/RICHMOND
The second round of the Surrey U14 Girls Waterfall Cup saw Dorking host a clustered team from Battersea Ironsides, London Irish and Richmond on a chilly, drizzly afternoon.
Having prepped to play 15 a side, the Dorking Girls had to adjust to 12 a side at the last minute, when the visitors had less players turn up than anticipated. Slightly unsettled, they let BI/LI/R have the upper hand in the first 10 minutes and were steadily edged back until they were defending their try line. Finally waking up to a very real threat, the Dorking Girls rallied and some strong tackles and forceful rucking made the opposition concede ground. Applying pressure, they turned the ball over and Millie made a break, brushed off a couple of players and stormed up the length of the pitch to score under the posts. Siena stepped up to take the conversion and neatly slotted the ball through the posts.
The early 7 points gave the Dorking Girls a lift and they started to settle down and get some structure into their game. Applying pressure both at the breakdown and in open play, they forced the opposition to make mistakes and then capitalised on them, with Zoe breaking through to score twice in quick succession. Neither conversion hit the mark, although one did hit the posts.
As the inexperience of the opposition became more obvious, the Dorking Girls began to control the game. Strong scrummaging allowed our No 8 Willow, to pick and go to make good ground, Sophie charged through to draw in numerous defenders and Siena made a lovely jinking break down the middle. Making the most of the opportunities they created and exploiting the gaps that formed in BI/LI/R’s defence, they repeatedly worked the ball up the pitch into the red zone, allowing Scarlett to race, dart and power through to score two tries. Amalie took over kicking duties and slotted one of the conversions. 29 – 0 at half time.
With the score being rather one-sided, the Ref gave the BI/LI/R Girls some feedback and advice during the break and they came out with renewed vigour. The Dorking Girls were having none of it however and continued to stamp their authority on the game. From the kick off, Zoe again shot through the ranks and touched down under the posts for her hat trick, with Amalie converting. Then it was Scarlett's turn to race down the right wing; her try was disallowed for a double movement but the ensuing penalty was deftly turned over by Dorking and she dived back into the corner to score her hat trick. Amalie took offence when coach Ollie (her Dad) handed her the kicking tee saying “Don’t worry, you won’t get that” and promptly booted the ball through the uprights in a kick that Marcus Smith would be proud of.
Knowing they had the upper hand gave the Dorking players confidence and they all threw themselves into the game. Despite being smaller and lighter than the opposition, superior technique allowed our forwards (Chloe, Flo, Amelia, Poppy, Millie, Amalie and Willow) to dominate the scrum, driving them back and winning penalties. Our backs (Ella, Siena, Bella, Sevi, Sophie, Livvy, Scarlett & Zoe) began to shift the ball while hunting for space. Sophie, Amalie and Sevi made some great line breaks and both Flo and Livvy nearly went over the line.
To their credit, the BI/LI/R Girls refused to give up and at one point came close to scoring a try of their own. A try saving tackle from Millie , followed by a tackle and strong ruck over by Willow drove them off the ball and it wasn’t long before it got into Millie’s hands and was carried off down the pitch for another Dorking try under the posts. Siena added the extras.
With 5 minutes to go, the score was called at 48 – 0 but both teams were keen to keep playing. Competently halting yet more spirited BI/LI/R attacks, the Dorking Girls couldn’t help probing their defence one more time; Millie got her hat trick and Amelie her third conversion.
A storming result for the Dorking Girls that demonstrated their progression in technique and game management since the start of the season and proved what they could achieve when working as a team. Every single player put in a massive shift, with improved play all round. Millie was voted Player of Note by the opposition with the Coaches’ Choice having to be split between 3 players as a decision couldn’t be made – Chloe for her line speed and tackling, Siena for managing the game at fly half and Amalie for “That Kick”.
