Farnham started the match with 19 players and a 13/6 split, forwards/backs. So we were always going to need some creativity in unfamiliar positions, or a hope for a tight, forwards battle. As the match settled down, following the initial exchanges Farnham quality up front was evident, competing for possession at every breakdown. There was definitely a battle on! Chloe Calder (7) broke the deadlock charging down an attempted clearance from the Havant (10) after a dominant Farnham scrum. Chloe not only charged down the kick but then using deft footwork kicked the ball through and managed to get in front for the touch down ahead of the retreating defenders. A perfectly slotted conversion from Eva Jenkins (10) gave Farnham a well deserved lead.

The first half progressed and it became clear there was going to be an EPIC contest. From nowhere, all the backs were set at the base of a midfield breakdown and Darcey moved the ball speedily out, releasing them. Each carried up to the opposition and passed just before the tackle arrived, giving us a 2 on 1. Bea Newnes-Smith (15) kept the last defender interested and released Lara Staton (14) to run in before the Havant team arrived in defence. The conversion was narrowly missed from out wide, with a clean strike again from Eva.

Half time and a deserved 12-0 lead.

We expected Havant to regroup at half time and they did. The half became much more of a scrap around the breakdown and when Farnham took a knock to one of our wingers we ended up playing the last 25mins with forwards filling in the gaps in the backs. At one point we had a loose Head and a second row on both wings and a hooker at 13. The girls all dug deep and played some fantastic defensive rugby, line speed improved, the team closed down the space on the Havant runners but with the inevitability you would expect Havant got right back into the game scoring 2 ties and converting both in close succession.

With 9 minutes to go Havant had taken the lead 12-14. The girls rallied, got organised and started communicating better. We managed to win the retaken restart and peppered the right wing. Following some hard work by the forwards to retain possession finally the call came to release the backs. A nice loop from Ettie Hardcastle (13) and ball back into Zara (12) who used every ounce of energy she had left to drive over the line and score the decisive score. The subsequent conversion bounced off the cross bar sadly, from out wide. A well fought win by the girls embodied everything we ask of them in terms of digging deep, team work and playing to the last whistle.

A well deserved win against a great team. Good luck Havant in the rest of your season.

Final word has to go to Magnus reffing the game absolutely brilliantly! Thanks so much.

Catch up with all the action on http://www.youtube.com/@FRUFCGirls

POM voted by Havant players: Zara Harris - given a week off from captaining the side she focused on her game and brought all the leadership and quality we have come to expect.
Coaches special mentions: Evie Martin (2) and Lily Madell (2nd Row) both had great matches and really upped the intensity but the coaches special mention goes to Elisa Dakunimata who playing her first match of the season brought power and dynamism to the forwards.