Today saw the girls excited by the prospect of being one match away from a final appearance at The Stoop. Great conditions for the match to be played against two of the most consistent teams in Surrey over the last few years. The match was played on a splendid OR's pitch 1 in front of the clubhouse with supportive and vocal parents from both sides. The most difficult team selection of the season so far meant some would miss out when the entire squad has been a close unit all season and every player has played their part.

Farnham came out the blocks all guns blazing, chasing the kick off and pressurising any chance for OR's to clear. Wave after wave of attack was repelled by OR's and after only exiting their own 1/2 once in the first 15 minutes OR's had resolutely repelled everything Farnham had thrown at them. Truth be told not turning the initial dominance into points would come back to haunt us.

OR's first attack looked ominous and it brought them a lineout on our 5m. Alertly intercepted by Hattie Gibbon (8) Farnham began a attack taking us the length of the pitch through 15 phases. The girls kept momentum with offloads and speed to ruck giving OR's fierce back row no opportunity to turn over. Eventually with OR's still scrambling Farnham's hands released Bea N-S (15) to intelligently run from the wing under the posts to score the first try, converted by Eva Jenkins 0-7.

Sadly from the restart Farnham switched off briefly, allowing OR's to gather and smash up the middle. Quick recycling at the breakdown and they were right back in it within 3 minutes, scoring just next to the posts and easily converting 7-7.

Farnham's kick off found the grass and although our chase was rapid our wingers had come in too tight sensing the opportunity to win the ball straight back. One perfectly found pass from OR's released their winger who easily got round the sides. Without a fabulous tackle from Amelie Moran she would have been in. Farnham worked hard in the mid field earning a scrum, a solid part of Farnham's game all day. The scrum was comfortably secured providing a nice platform to attack. After splitting the backs Fly half Eva Jenkins and Full Back Bea stood behind the scrum giving us a natural overlap which the girls played well drawing in OR's wider defenders creating a 3 on 1. Sadly the final pass never went to hand and OR's were able to mount an attack which would ultimately lead to their second try converted from in front of the posts. After 20 minutes of Farnham dominance it was disappointing to find ourselves 14-7 down after 30 minutes.

The girls scrapped, taking the game to OR's. The strength of character from these girls is what has carried them all season. Belief in one another and the chances would appear. Doing the basics well and backing each other would bring opportunities. Some great support and work at the breakdown gave Bea N-S and Amelie Moran a 2 on 1. The threat of the ball going wide left the defender unsure and Bea broke away down the left wing with just the full back to beat. A nicely timed hand off allowed Bea to get round the back and run in as close to the posts as she could get for her second try of the day. Eva Jenkins stroked the conversion effortlessly setting up the 2nd half nicely at 14-14.

The second half started much as the first did. Farnham dominant pegging OR's back in there half. The effort paid off with Hattie Gibbon (8) driving over for a well deserved effort at the start of the second half. Eva Jenkins converted leaving us 14-21 with 20 minutes to play. The next 10 minutes was a scrappy affair with both teams battling hard but OR's really pushed us back. OR's scored the next try but failed to convert leaving a tricky last 15 minutes, 19-21.

What resulted was heartbreaking for our girls. After a fabulous season they all wanted this so much but OR's to their credit were relentless. They closed down the spaces and made it very difficult to exit! Wave after wave of attack battered Farnham's try line which the girls resolutely repelled. Unfortunately for Farnham the OR's girls were patient in their phases, not rushing the miracle ball and eventually found a way. Converting their score left 7 mins to run 21-26.

That was not the end, and as sure as the ebb and flow of the game went Farnham had an opportunity to take it. A fabulous carry by Hattie down the right wing saw OR's scrambling in defense and as Farnham moved the ball into midfield there was a 7 on 1 overlap wide on the left wing. The ref decided to blow up for an injury on the far right hand touch line ending the open play. A disappointing end but nothing can be taken away from either of these teams who both fought with everything they had in a ferocious Semi-Final. The sort of game you play the entire season to be a part of. Well done all the girls, parents, first aiders and coaches who have consistently been brilliant all season.

POM voted by OR's: Hattie Gibbon - tremendous power and dynamism carrying but this year has really stepped up her defensive qualities too
Coaches award: Eira Hopkins - outstanding match at hooker only to take a knock with 10 minutes to go