The early morning start was not in the brochure for the under 16’s girls of both East Grinstead & Crowborough on Sunday. But, the girls all arrived at the club full of smiles and enthusiasm for the task at hand. The first match in over two months, the culmination of weeks of training all about to be projected in style onto the pitch. Expecting the main pitch we were immediately set straight and sent to the beautifully prepared pitch over the adjacent hedge. Conversation in full flow the girls and the coaches made their way to start the warmup. These girls don’t see each other for weeks on end, but give them a pitch, a kindred spirit and common goal and the fireworks are lit.

Warm up commenced courtesy of Millie in her usual style, gentle jog around the grounds and then the press ups start with groans of despair from the girls, but met by a cheeky smile from Millie. Now it’s the coaches turn, Dan set up the training area, explained everything to the other coaches and off we went. Distribution, position and peripheral vision all honed in as the Ref called us over for a stud check. All clear, captains introduced and off we go. The girls had lost to Lewes in the past and had something to prove.

EG were caught unaware by a dart from the other team who ramped up the pace from the get-go, no chance to relax on this game. The Lewes / Heathfield team continued but the EG girls rallied round with a solution, several conversations happening in a short space of time and they were off, teamwork ensued.

Distribution, position and unrivalled pace were all dispatched in one hit, they were caught unawares. The subtle and intuitive reading of the other side allowed the EG ladies to exploit weakness and charge towards the try line. The effort both teams put in created a few injuries, with the game stopped to support, but the ladies wiped the slate clean to keep the pressure on throughout.

Although the game was split into quarters, the ladies kept their composure, brought even more pressure on the Heathfield / Lewes team conceding only one more try and subjecting them to three more in quick succession.

The left side of the opposition was often found wanting and the EG ladies were quick to exploit. Jess & Anya had the weakness firmly in their sights and Anya kicked the ball there, presenting our ladies with the opportunity of possession, distribution and the killer blow.

Jess and Anya were quick to recognise the support of their team, but ultimately they were tasked with completing all the hard work with what the team wanted… success.

Heathfield / Lewes didn’t drop the pressure and the EG girls were kept on their toes, this match proved that hard work had been committed from both sides but fitness, teamwork and determination prevailed from the EG team.

These ladies were certainly a massive credit to Women’s Rugby and under 16’s teams across the country, please join us in the supporting of this team and the promotion to all corners of your individual communities