An historic day as Beckenham Ladies 2XV, newly reformed, welcomed Millwall Venus Ladies to Balmoral Avenue for their opening game of the season and the first 2XV league fixture in several years. And what a feast they served up - many of the players will undoubtedly be progressing to the first team on the evidence of their performance.

Captain Grace Fentiman opened proceedings with the kickoff, gathered by Millwall but chased down by vice-captain Katie Skelly who put in the first of a plethora of tackles that afternoon.

It was a little bit nervy to start with, but the nerves were soon settled when Laura “Chair” Thompson took command and made a strong run forward. The ball was recycled quickly and out to Milly Chung-Faye at inside centre, who flew off like a sidewinder missile, wrong footing the defence, scorching the grass as she left all in her wake to open the scoring sheet for the 2XV in the league: 5-0.

Grace took the catch from the restart and offloaded to Skelly, but the attack was thwarted by a spirited Millwall defence. The play was fast and furious from both sides, neither willing to budge an inch in defence. There were patches of brilliance from outside centre Toni “Tinky Winky” West and fullback Kirstie Long, the former picking up a ball from her bootlaces and the latter in decision making and leadership.

Millwall were awarded a penalty and they took it quickly, catching Beckenham by surprise, the visitors’ captain and fly half took the ball at pace and scored close to the posts, although unconverted, to level the scores at 5-5.

Tash Mayhew, making a guest appearance for Beckenham, entered the ring to relieve Laura T for a while. Beckenham had a lineout which was secured by Skelly rising high and caressing the ball before setting it on its way to Grace and then Kirstie, who burst through the defensive line. She was tackled high but offloaded to the ever-present Skelly who went over the line under the posts for a try which was fittingly converted by Kirstie to take the score to 12-5.

Both teams kept hammering at each other’s doors in an excellent display of ladies’ rugby. It was a shame not to see the power of the Beckenham scrum as Millwall had requested to go uncontested due to the inexperience of their front row. However, Jo Jones at loosehead, Laura Thompson at hooker and Tiffany Coleman at tighthead, would have been formidable on the evidence of their ball carrying prowess throughout the game. Laura Harvey joined Skelly in the boiler room of the second row, Laura demonstrating some attacking runs which grew in gusto and ferocity as the game progressed – it is great to witness this rookie player develop.

Ellie Murrell played loose forward and switched from flank to 8 depending on the put in, she executed the number 8 pick up from the base of the scrum as well as any demonstrated by Billy Vunipola, slipping the ball to Grace when she drew in the defender. Lillie Turnbull-Jones went about her business in the back row, and occasionally even the front row, with stealth and devastation in the tackle area and forged paths through the defence in attack.

Beckenham secured turnover ball which was zipped out to Kirstie who pinned back her ears and shot off at blistering pace to score her try to the left of the posts: 17-5.

Skelly stole the ball in the lineout and the backs were unleashed, but credit to Millwall who defended well and secured a turnover of their own, spotted a dog leg in defence and went over for their second try, bringing the score to 17-10 as the half time whistle blew.

As Millwall got the second half underway, the kickoff was collected safely and spun out to Scarlett Reynolds on the right wing. Her pace was electric, Millwall infringed, and Beckenham were awarded a penalty which was taken quickly demonstrating the mental attitude of the captain to get on with the game. Millwall defended well and won the put-in to the scrum, however the blindside break was spotted by Lillie who tackled the ball carrier into touch, pleasing the supporters outside the clubhouse.

At the resulting lineout, you guessed it, Skelly won the ball, Grace passed to Toni who put in a clever chip and chase to put pressure on the Millwall defender, resulting in a knock on and Beckenham feed to the scrum. Lillie picked up from the base of the scrum having taken the 8 spot, powering forward until taken down by the defence, she presented the ball perfectly and quick recycled ball to Tash on the burst gaining more metres. Unfortunately, Ellie was injured in the following play and left the field, we wish her a speedy recovery following her valuable contribution to the pack.

The game restarted with a scrum to Beckenham, the forwards wanted to show their strength, Tash took the initial contact, offloading to the marauding Jo who managed to free the ball to Laura “the Chair” Thompson setting a magnificent example of how to drive low and go over for a try 5 metres in from the right-hand touch line: 22-10.

Immy Cliff made her Beckenham debut, coming on for the injured Milly, and gathered the ball. If ever there was an example of not judging the book by its cover, Immy is it: she fought well above her weight tackling much bigger opponents, demonstrating excellent technique, guts and a big heart go a long way in the game.

The game was still being played frantically and Millwall were awarded a penalty which they took quickly scoring their third try out wide on the left wing: 22-15.

Beckenham kicked off and Millwall knocked on providing an attacking scrum to Beckenham. Tash took the ball from the base of the scrum and powered through the defence offloading to Lillie who was supported by Jo. Beckenham were awarded a penalty at the ruck, a quick tap and go fed to Michelle “Mum” Mayhew who crossed the whitewash but was adjudged to have been held up.

From the resulting goal line drop out, Skelly collected the kick and passed it on to captain fantastic Grace who scythed through the defence to score a wonderful try to add icing to the top of the cake: 27-15

Unfortunately, Grace picked up an injury to her thumb, she wanted to play on believing it to be a less serious injury but now we know that it was a nasty break and we wish her and all those who picked up knocks a speedy recovery.

Millwall kept going and never gave up, but the resolute defence prevented any further score.

It was a magnificent first outing for the “2’s” who delighted the spectators.

Forward of the match: Lillie Turnbull-Jones
Back of the match: Grace Fentiman

Match report by Gareth Nicholl