The weather was good, our coach (and our Captain) were hanging (tut tut), and we had enough players to lend a couple to the opposition. We had a few newbies so we played in quarters with the ref allowing coaching and development at every breakdown.

Support was excellent throughout the game with players being followed through gaps and opening up options, this support was key to retaining the ball as alot of the time we tried to break one too many tackle.

The backs handling was good, newbies Sinead and Rachel both performing well under pressure and Isobel coping fantastically with the transition from U18s. Hannah Phillips using her footwork scored a try, and nearly pulled off an amazing behind her back pop up.... if Porkie had been expecting it! Helen reading the game intercepted a Ninjas set piece to run in a try from the halfway line, her kicking also piling on the points.

The forwards worked tirelessly close to the line to allow Dave to touch down from about a metre out three times!!! Abby too showed immense strength to score what I'm told was her first Beckenham Ladies try.

Steph stole the ball over and over and Sianne was hooking for her life winning pretty much every scrum.

Claire Nicholls and Nikkie George loaned initially to Ninjas made a nuisance of themselves and fully committed to their temporary team. Claire Nicholls was having a stormer and sitting down a few of her friends (maybe getting us back for Daves hand off in the first quarter!). Amidst our confusion Ninjas get the ball to their strong number 8 who glides over the line. Ninjas kicking is also very strong and they use this to gain ground several times.

When Porkie joins the Ninjas she ends up scoring two tries for them but Steph punishes her but putting in a tackle that makes her squeal and (ashamed to admit it) set us off in hysterics on the sidelines!

With Claire Nicholls back on Beckenham ladies side, she continues to flare scoring and try and making a try saving nudge into touch on the Ninjas speedy winger. Our captain is inspired and gets one over the line for herself.

Gaps open up in the final quarter on both sides, tiredness and consequently lack of communication to blame. An unfortunate knock on by newbie Hayley (when she could have been in for a try on her debut) and the game finishes. A few things to work on for the league game away at Richmond next week, but a good run out for a good proportion of players means we are more prepared than perhaps we were last season.

Well done to Hayley, Nichole, Isobel, Nikkie and Rachel making their debut appearances.