Sunday 27th April saw our GU12s, clustered with Barnes RFC and Teddington RFC and known as the ‘Barnington Bears’, arrive early at a sunny Cobham for Finals Day.

The warm weather persuaded the girls to break out their Hawaiian-themed tour shirts, for a new look as they took on the Chobham/Guilfordians cluster in the bowl competition final.

With very firm ground underfoot fortune would favour the side brave enough to break out their passing game and the Bears showed intent from the very beginning with Sophie scoring a breakaway try down the right wing within the first minute.

The lead was doubled a minute later as Ava carried strongly through to find a gap and score her second cup try of the season. Chobham/Guildfordians fought back with some super strong runners evading our tackles. Further tries from both teams meant that with a quarter of the game gone it was 3-3.

Then began a stunning period of play where the Bears were unstoppable. Four tries in 6 minutes, took us into the break 7-3 ahead. Catriona scored her second of the cup and showed her burgeoning strength and confidence throughout, whilst any time the defence left the tiniest of gaps, Sophie found a way through.

A much needed water break, some sustenance (Haribo bears, obviously!) and they returned to the field.

The second half would prove to be tighter than the first, as Chobham/Guildforians fought back. Scoring first gave them confidence to run at us and we exchanged tries all the way through the second half.

Deliliah sniped a classic scrum half try for her first of the Cup, before a wonderful team try – strong running from Pamela, an offload in the tackle to Florence, who was stopped just short of the line. Good rucking from Pamela allowed Esme to extract the ball and present it to Ava who evaded the defence for her second of the day.

Sophie ended with a season high of 7 tries in the match, really bringing determination to evade the tackle along with her speed.

The match was a delight to watch – and not just because we won 11-7! It felt like our girls really came together as a team, something that always takes a while in a cluster. Considering the three clubs have only played together since January, they should be so proud of themselves.

In defence Esme and Nancy really stood out with their rock solid tackling, good running from Malaya and Zaha, and Esme even jackled successfully in defence on our own try line. Agnes was a menace around the breakdown, Margot and Tilly were getting into their tackles and harassing the opposition - every single player contributed brilliantly to take our second win in a row!

After the match much silliness ensued as the girls celebrated with the rugby rodeo in a nod to their Red Roses heroes. Formalities over, the excitement continued as tour hoodies were handed out, cakes consumed and great fun was had in the sun.

Whilst the Cup is now over our sights are on our end-of-season tour next weekend to Worthing RFC for their amazing Worthing 10’s Girls Festival.