The win we've been hunting

Although it’s only the start of the season, last weekend’s result for the Mighty 2s has been a long time coming – since mid-July to be exact. Despite the disparity in score lines from our opening cup and league games – one against a team with a noticeable number of first team players and the other against an established women’s side dedicated to just one team – Sunday’s win cemented what we’re capable of when we get our systems right. We don’t make excuses and we wholeheartedly accept that the losses of our first two competitive matches were against worthy opponents who earned their wins. Even though they stung, we learned a lot from those losses and the team is starting to click and understand each other as a result, and it really showed in a classy performance over the weekend. Not to mention that the unstoppable 1s were in fine fettle as they dismissed Chinnor from the off to make it 2 from 2 for the women’s squad who are proving to be a formidable force.

The referee shortage in London hit our 2s on Sunday, with coach Chris stepping up to the plate and controlling the game for the first half while Ealing Trailfinders Women provided a coach to ref in the second half. We set up with the bright afternoon sun behind us and received the ball from the Trailfinders’ kick off and went straight to work getting back into their half. Some solid crash balls followed by a flurry of hands from the backs saw Angie flying into the try zone just a few minutes into the game for our first score of the day. And that wouldn’t be the last one for the speedster either. It was good to have a trusty boot back on the pitch as Jen F slotted the conversion. Shortly after, Angie spotted space again out on the right wing and screamed for the ball, which she quickly carried over the line.

Trailfinders found their form and fronted up well, making a lot of hard runs and capitalising off some handling errors to push us back into our half. It was a real tussle and they came close to getting a breakaway a few times but Rochelle wasn’t having it and between her and Angie and Jane, they closed down every attempt to get through. Bethan's return to full strength is going well and it was great to have another big hitter in the forwards to draw in the defense and make some space for our backs to show their pace. Joss made some huge carries to get us into the Trailfinders’ half, followed by some fancy hands from the backs. There was a moment where we thought Jane was through for a try as she tore at full tilt down the left of the pitch, but an ‘in touch’ call brought us back for a line out on the Trailfinders’ 10m and we set up camp again as they held us out.

Prudence was on fire as usual, bossing the game at 9 like she hadn’t been away from rugby for the summer – what a pleasure to have her back in the fold. After a long spell of play in the Trailfinders' half we were pushed back to the midpoint of the pitch, but a brilliant bit of running from our resident Alpaca hugger saw Liv flying through defenders and cutting back between them to eat up a decent 30-or-so meters before she was stopped just short of the try zone. Scoring was still on the cards for Liv, and it wasn’t long before she got over the line for a hard worked try.

Meli caught a superb restart ball and wasted no time in darting straight back at the Trailfinders’ defense, making good ground. A few more handling errors though led to both teams trading possession and gave us plenty of time to practice our set pieces. The pack got to work in some really powerful scrums, with Bethan and Joss showing their strength at second row. Kate was her usual smiling self, giving a false sense of security to the Trailfinders’ front row as she harangued their tight head, while Tara anchored the scrum at 3. Gradually the half rolled to an end, and we had a chance to take a breath.

Trailfinders’ coach stepped in to get the second half underway and again we had a strong start as Jam, who was now out on the wing (having started in the front row) worked with Angie out at fullback to run in her first try of the season. ‘Is there any position this woman can’t play?’ I hear you ask…at this rate we’ll be able to provide an answer in the next few games, and it’s probably no, although second row might be a challenge for Jam!

Vice-Captain Maria had another phenomenal game, leading from the front and showing her huge work rate on the pitch. She has absolutely mastered the line outs, stealing 2 off Trailfinders, one of which set up an impressive team try to see Jenn P flying over the line to get her first points of the season – we know she’s got plenty more of those left in the tank for the league ahead. Tara was keen to score too having been held up over the line in the first half and made an impressive 40m break as she bumped off defenders and almost got over the line, only to be brought down by a hugely brave last-ditch tackle from one of the trailing defenders just a few meters outfrom the try line. Bailey closed off the proceedings with the try she’d been hunting all day with another short but powerful charge at the defensive line – it was great to have her on the pitch again. Whistle blown – time for a pint!

It was an absolute pleasure running out on the pitch with Ealing Trailfinders Women, they’re a fantastic group of players and there was a positive vibe throughout the game, even despite a couple of unintentional high tackles from both sides and one or two injuries. It was refreshing to play a game where the hits were hard and the aggression was certainly dialled up but there was no niggly, off-the-ball antics – everyone just played rugby. They’re a testament to their club and their coaches and we always enjoy the post-game pints with them – the 3rd and most important half of any game!

Well done to Forward of the Match Jamilla, Back of the Match Jane (and runner up Liv) and of course, Players' player Tara. We wish Rochelle and Angie a speedy recovery and we’re looking forward to getting you back out on the pitch soon!

We have a week off now and I think after 4 games on the trot the Mighty 2s will welcome the rest! We’re back in action away to Mitcham and Carshalton Women on the 15th October – come along and cheers us on!