An early inspection showed that St Marks had not fared as badly as was feared from Storm Bert. Despite strong gusts, the pitch for youth girls gained protection from its hedge and tree line to the south.

The weather was also good news for our visitors from Dartfordians. With other pitches unplayable and games cancelled, the away team and their supporters benefited from a quiet morning at TWRFC with on-site parking and a queue-free cafe.

As is often the case in the girls game, a joint Activate warm-up was conducted, before a focused skill and game zone session on safe falling and body position in the tackle. Having got all the players suitably warm and muddy, the teams had a brief break to prep for the match. It was agreed to match numbers with 7Wells lending a rolling roster of two players to the visitors.

A challenging game followed with both slope and wind heavily impacting kick-offs and the overall approach to the game. Some outstanding skill was displayed in terms of ball handling, particularly given the wet and windy conditions. Dartfordians in particular put together some consistent retention of the ball with multiple phases of play.

The challenge in conditions such as these is how best to play for territory when in-game kicking is such a new skill at the age group. Certainly the weather had the players needing to adapt: protecting the ball in contact; shorter passing; control at the kick off. More than once restarts went either dead in goal, and so back for a scrum on the halfway, and in one instance crossed the 7m plane at the kick-off only to be blown back into the delighted arms of the kicking team (Law 12.7).

Both teams put in a determined effort and enjoyed the morning. Some incredible committed cover tackling, rucking and evasive running drew warm applause from the good crowd. The 7Wells girls who played for the away team seemed to relish the challenge of competing against their usual team mates.

Match complete, cheers for the teams were heard, a group photo taken, and then back to a warm clubhouse for showers, dry clothes, food, and awards. A very positive morning.

Thanks to our visitors and the catering team at TWRFC.