St. Marks recreation ground has a fickle playing surface. Bone hard in summer, a quagmire by mid-Autumn, the Wealden clay plays havoc with fixtures secretaries year in, year out.

So it was with admirable optimism that an unnamed coach at TWRFC offered to host day one of the Kent U12 girls Waterfall tournament (the county's main age group competition for clubs offering girls youth rugby).

The lead up to 17 November was thankfully dry and on the day itself the weather cool but fine. The long walk from line-free residential street parking to the club completed, gazebos were pegged out as 1130 approached. Ten teams readied to play each other in two groups of five.

The format of the Waterfall is constructed to rank teams for a finals day, set to be played on 26 January. The tournament is open to any Kent Rugby affiliated club which supports girls youth rugby at U12.

To help support team numbers, many girls' teams form collaborations between clubs, and four of these played in the tournament. Those bringing a collaboration team were:

• 7Wells, a collaboration of Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells.
• Kent Barbarians, a collaboration between Dover, Deal, Thanet, Canterbury and Tonbridge
• Crimson Beccs, between Old Beccehamians and Old Colfeians
• Gravesend / OGs, in which Old Gravesendians join their neighbours Gravesend.

Clubs bringing teams in their own right were:

• Ashford
• Bromley
• Dartford Valley
• Dartfordians
• Medway
• Westcombe Park

The quality of girls rugby in Kent goes up every season and the 20 matches played on the day - four per team - were a fantastic advert for the game. But what was most encouraging was the mix of both experienced girls and those newer to the game showing real enthusiasm to compete and give their best.

Rugby's values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship were consistently on display. This was never more so than where clubs lent players or absorbed keen players to teams that had been unable to come with a full squad for the tournament.

Matches complete, day two in January will be where the 2024/25 Kent Shield, Vase, Bowl, Plate and Cup trophies are decided, and everyone grows just from having taken part.

Thanks to all at TWRFC who helped with hosting the event, to Kent Rugby - particularly their U12 girls lead - for the match organisation, and to all the coaches and family members from clubs across the county who supported the event and their girls attendance.