After pretty much two months of solid rain, the poor pitches of Frant Road are looking a bit worse for wear. But with the sun shining down on Sunday 1st March, the ladies of Streatham-Croydon were well and truly ready to put the frustrations of the start of 2020 behind them. Having lost narrowly (15-10) to Guernsey when they travelled there in November, affected in no small part by losing centre El Hawketts to a broken leg mid game, there was certainly both a point to be proven and some revenge to be gained.

Streatham started the game with a prolonged period of defence. Guernsey had the stiff wind behind them in the first half, and forcing a few penalties from the Streatham defence, they worked their way down the pitch and then used their powerful carriers and strength to attempt to break through the line. Eventually after multiple phases, they were able to pick and go from the ruck to power across the try line, which went unconverted 0-5.

This was an almost identical start to the Havant game from last weekend, however this week with the home crowd behind them, Streatham refused to let their heads go down. Losing back row and talisman player Mel Laidlaw-Anderson early in the game would normally have concerned the team. However, the strength in depth saw whirlwind troublesome flanker Coco Briden come on and Molly Boden move to 8, where she did an excellent job of controlling the ball at the base throughout the game.

Streatham nearly got over the try line soon after they had conceded, with big clearance kicks by Ana O'Connor into the wind pinning Guernsey back in their half, and when a penalty kick didn't make touch, fly half Millie Ross was able to gather only to be hauled down agonisingly close to the try line.

Guernsey's key weakness in this game was the lack of an exit option, and even with the wind behind them some big hits from the Streatham forwards especially Amelia and Judo allowed continued pressure until the ball was turned over. Some quick hands down the line saw Skipper Helena 'Ribena' Solomon cross the line to dot down in the corner, which went unconverted 5-5.

With the wind in their sails, Streatham continued the pressure. Scrum half Rosie was hustling at the breakdown, forcing errors in the Guernsey attack. After turning over the ball again, the Streatham forwards controlled the game well, sucking in the defence with multiple phases of pick and go, eventually shipping the ball wide to full back and try magnet Alicia 'Felicia' Wyke to score in an almost identical spot to the previous try, 10-5.

Guernsey nearly managed to draw equal just before the half. With a lineout on the 5m line, Coco Briden was penalised for sacking it illegally. Guernsey opted to go for the lineout again, which was superbly disrupted and turned over by Coco, and Millie was able to clear to touch for the half. That was a real turning point of the game, with Streatham knowing that with the wind behind them in the 2nd half they would have an easier time.

Ana O'Connor's kicks were causing havoc in the Guernsey back field, with excellent chasing on the wings from Charlie Uden and Fiona Oldam closing down any counter attack. Eventually, expecting the kicks the back line were fragmented and the backs were able to manipulate the defence. A wide miss pass from Millie to Helena puts the ball in the hands of Fiona Oldam, who is stopped just short of the corner, but the incredible workrate of Amy 'Judo' Ellis-Thompson having got across to the ruck from the scrum on the other side of the pitch, saw her pop the ball to the equally hard working Molly Boden who crossed for Streatham's 3rd try, which was excellently converted by Ana 17-5.

After a huge kick off, Streatham kept attacking hard. A great take in the lineout from substitute flanker Rachel 'Cookie' Cook led to quick ball and even quicker hands for the backs, putting full back Alicia 'Felicia' Wyke over for her second 22-5.

Gunning for the bonus point try now, the Guernsey defence were expecting the ball to keep going wide through the hands of the threatening backs, opening the door for a storming run by second row Anna Fogel, who dotted down under the posts, converted by Ana O'Connor for a full time score 29-5.

Next week the ladies travel to Canterbury for a much anticipated twice rearranged fixture.

Forward of the match: Anna Fogel
Back of the match: Rosie Carr

Scorers: Alicia Wyke (2T), Helena Solomon (1T), Anna Fogel (1T), Molly Boden (1T), Ana O'Connor (2C)