On Sunday Bracknell welcomed U12 and U14 girls from Rams, Basingstoke, Trojans, Tadley, Reading, Hungerford, Gosford All Blacks, Reading Abbey, Maidenhead and Newbury Rugby Clubs for an afternoon of rugby in a festival atmosphere.

In the U14 event Rams and Newbury teamed up for matches, with Reading, Hungerford and Tadley banding together to form a side. Bracknell and Maidenhead having enough players available on the day to each stand alone to play their matches.

First up for Bracknell it was a game against Maidenhead. Having spent training on Wednesday working on a variety of things it was pleasing to see the girls from the off trying to put them into effect. With some direct carrying and good clearing out it wasn’t long before Amelia powered through for the first try of the day. Maidenhead hit back with a try of their own, but further first half tries from Molly, Mimi and Madi put the girls well ahead at the break. With some solid defence, a dominant scrum and direct running attack it was only a matter of time before a try came in the second half, and it was Molly who scored it, before grabbing another to register a hat trick, and a win by 6 tries to 1.

Game two started as game one had finished, with the girls playing some really good direct rugby against a primarily Reading team. So much so, that uncontested scrums had to be called, so dominant were our front 5 of Macy, Mia, Amelia, Maya and Katie S. With some intelligent play from the girls behind the scrum 6 first half tries were run in by Molly, with another hat trick, Amelia, Madi and Imogen. The second half continued much like the first with Molly adding another try and Macy picking up two to run out winners by 9 tries to 3.

The final match was against a combined Rams/Newbury team and another strong showing from the girls saw them dominate again and run out winners by 7 tries to 4, with Amelia and Macy grabbing two each, and Madi, Mia and Imogen also dotting down.

As ever the results only tell a small part of the story. For the girls today, the coaches and parents were all pleased to see them trying to do the things they are being taught, and sticking together as a team throughout, with Joff’s highlights being Darcy hugging Macy after her first try in game 2, Nugget (Mia) getting a try, Imogen getting a try and most important of all, the team rallying around Mimi when she was upset after Molly injured her ankle, a great team effort.

For the girls, I suspect their highlight was winding up Joff, getting him to take then team photo with Madi’s phone, unbeknown to him it was on her BeReal so taking a selfie of him at the same time.

A great day had by all, and the players and coaches hard work is definitely coming to the fore.