First up were Sevenoaks, a side we didn't beat last year, and who looked big and experienced, even though they only had 6 players. Respect to Lois and Pebbles for showing good rugby values and pulling on a yellow bib and helping them out.

Given the substantial size difference the girls tackled well. Where we lacked an edge was in attack, and Sevenoaks scored three tries before Rosie smashed her way over for our first.

HT 5-15

The second half went the same way as the first. Sevenoaks had some powerful runners who we gave too much space so they got up to full speed and were difficult to stop. Again they scored three times with Emily getting a chance to show her pace and score for us. She was also putting in some great try saving tackles and moved into a sweeper role.

FT 10-30

Old Dartfordians

Next were Dartfordians, a new girls' team this season, who turned up with a big, friendly squad of tall players.

But, as Honey showed, it's speed not size that is difficult to deal with, and their lack of experience and some soft tackling indicated a high scoring match.

We scored four times in the first half, with Lydia running round most of the Dartfordians twice, and Emily adding a similar try. Dartfordians managed one try in reply.

HT 15-5

With both sides making plenty of substitutions things were more evenly matched in the second half with some faster, more agile Dartfordians girls with good individual skills coming on.

Rosie scored first for us, then Holly scored twice on the left hand flank after some good draw and pass moves by the team. Each time we scored Dartfordians were ably to reply with mazy runners picking their way through the Pulborough defence. Cherry followed up with two tries taking a more direct route through the opposition defence to the line. Again Dartfordians jinked their way through us to score.

FT 40-25

Sutton & Epsom

Well, at least it wasn't double figures! And that was down to a couple of heroic hold ups by Maddie when Sutton had crossed our line.

Sutton looked impressive when warming up and so it proved when the match kicked off.

Not a particularly big team, but fast, direct and very well organised in attack and defence. Probably the best U13s girls team the coaches have seen.

By now some of our girls were starting to tire and our defensive line was dog legged. The Sutton players had the rugby nous to target these gaps and exploit size and weight differences.

We were still glory hunting in attack but Sutton were a much tougher defensive proposition than Dartfordians and there was no way through the middle.

HT 0-25

In the second half we started to play a bit and spent a long period camped out on Sutton's line. But their defensive wall was too strong and eventually a turnover led to a length of the pitch try.

Finally Nyree got over in corner and we got on the scoresheet.

FT 45-5

Overall this was an encouraging start to the season despite losing two of the matches. The girls were giving away a lot in size and experience to the teams they lost to and the new players like Jas and Izzy showed great spirit and got stuck in.

In training we'll be working on the shape of the defensive line, tackling and looking for support before we get tackled so we can make better use of our obvious speed and agility.

Squad: Holly (2), Maddie, Rosie (2) Cherry (2), Jas, Pebbles, Honey, Lois, Izzy, Emily (2), Lydia (2), Nyree (1)