Bracknell Girls U16's Show Grit in Thrilling Clash with Farnham Girls U16’s

This Sunday with Storm Isha fast closing in on Lily Hill Park, Bracknell Girls U16's engaged in an intense clash with Farnham Girls U16’s. A minute’s silence to mark the passing of John Dance, former club and RFU president, and staunch supporter of Girls rugby was observed impeccably by both teams. From the kick-off both teams exhibited their skill, setting the stage for a competitive match and fitting tribute to a great servant of the game.

The initial moments saw Farnham securing the lineout, but Bracknell quickly turned the tables with a scrum following a Farnham knock-on. The Bracknell pack displayed solid defence, pushing Farnham back and securing a turnover, highlighting the team's resilience in their own five-meter territory.

Despite Bracknell's efforts, Farnham capitalised on a kick, scoring the first try and taking an early 5-0 lead. The conversion, however, missed its mark, leaving the door open for Bracknell.

Subsequent plays featured an impressive run from Emily into Farnham's half, but Bracknell found themselves pushed back, trailing 12-0. However, a subsequent scrum further showcased Bracknell's defensive strength as they gained possession and initiated a series of phases involving the backs.

As the game unfolded, both teams engaged in a fierce battle, with Bracknell's defence standing strong. Macy scored beneath the posts after close attempts from Eva and Evie. The first half concluded with Farnham leading 12-7 after a hard-fought match on the muddy pitch.

The second half commenced with determination from both sides. While Bracknell's scrum held firm, Farnham's persistence led to another try, widening the gap to 17-7. Undeterred, Bracknell responded through multiple phases, forwards rucking over, and a powerful run from Elle resulted in a try in the corner, closing the scoreline to 12-17.

Bracknell continued to demonstrate resilience, winning penalties and maintaining possession. Lily's try narrowed Farnham's lead to 17-24, before she added more points, bringing the score to a tense 22-24.

In a nail-biting conclusion, Bracknell came close to staging a remarkable second-half comeback, but Farnham secured a late try and 32-24 victory. While Farnham ultimately emerged as the victors, Bracknell's spirited performance left a lasting impression on the spectators and coaching team. In his post-match comments to the assembled media scrum Daimon Evans, DoR, said:

"We witnessed a commendable comeback, showing great resilience from being behind to nearly turning the tables. Today's performance was a significant improvement from our last game. Successfully setting up and running a few pods, achieving our team goal, provided the much-needed go-forward and ball security. Overall, we are pleased with the performance and attitude today."

Although Bracknell Girls U16's fell just short in this thrilling battle against Farnham, they can reflect on the match with their heads held high and much hope for the season’s remaining fixtures. Go Bracknell!

John Irwin

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