On Sunday 19 January Beckenham U15 Girls welcomed Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks to Balmoral Avenue for their league fixture. With two opposition clubs visiting, we played an amended format to give all the girls plenty of game time.

With ten players available for Beckenham, we borrowed two front row players from Sevenoaks for our opening match against Tunbridge Wells, which was played at 12-a-side. Despite playing just 15 mins each way, Beckenham ran in six tries in a hard fought match, final score 39-0. With dry conditions suiting them, and the squad at almost full strength, the Beckenham girls dominated all areas of the game and showed great continuity, stringing together phase after phase, offloading, getting quick ball from the ruck - a performance reminiscent of England v New Zealand in the Men's World Cup last year. In such an enjoyable game to watch all the players performed well, but Phoebe was the stand-out showing real improvement, running excellent support lines, carrying and presenting well, and showing great basic skills. She even attempted to secure the ball against three opposition forwards - a battle she didn't quite win, but with the commitment that coaches love to see.

Next up, the Beckenham girls played against Sevenoaks, again at 12-a-side (with two TW players borrowed). This was a tougher, more forward-dominated game, and Beckenham were less able to dominate long phases of play. A wider game was needed, and after a period of sustained pressure, Funto make a rapid break down the wing to score the only try of the match, ably converted by Abby. Unfortunately in the fierce competition Katherine sustained a wrist injury, later found to be a broken risk - we all wish her a speedy recovery.

To finish off an excellent day or rugby, Tunbridge Wells took their turn to play Sevenoaks, with the Beckenham girls divided up to support each side and allow a 15-a-side game. This was a great opportunity for the Beckenham girls, learning from a different team's structure and gameplay, and several tried out new positions including Morgan at flanker and Ruby at number 8. This game was a real tussle, with Sevenoaks emerging the victors 7-0.

Plenty of rugby in the sunshine, all played in great spirits. We look forward to playing Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks again before the season is out.