From the first kick off, Quins Ladies drove straight into the heart of the Romford half and pressurised their defence. Some outstanding play by Hooker Jo Ballentine saw her fight her way through Romford players and over the try line to her first ever try for the team. Unfortunately not converted.

Having started as they meant to go on, the Ladies settled into demonstrating the wide array of skills they have been cultivating from pre-season. Nat Smith’s secure catch ensured that from the re-start Quins Ladies had control of the ball and with some great support from both forwards and backs alike it found its way to Shannon Mullen who carried it safely over the line, converted.

The wet conditions demanded safe hands from all while the forwards were ferocious at the break downs and set pieces. They battled their way up the field once more to see flanker Claire Brazier-Kobus power her way over the line to score, not converted. Attacks from Romford kept the Ladies on their toes, though some timely tackles and great robbing from Kyra Howell gave possession to the Ladies once more. Sarah Butler put the gas on, scoring beneath the posts, converted.

From Romford’s kick, Nat Smith handed off, giving her time to ship the ball out to Isia Storey on the wing who eluded Romford’s relentless winger to score. The Ladies kept harassing Romford’s defence throughout the first half, leading to another 3 tries from Team Captain Laura Quinn, centre Kay Rees who’s decisive running took her the length of the pitch to score and Sarah Butler.

Half time gave Romford time to gather themselves. They delved into Quins Ladies’ defence and fought both players and the incessant rain in their attempts to score. Frustratingly unable to capitalise on their possession. Quins Ladies’ line out displayed their forward talent as Claire Brazier-Kobus caused constant annoyance in the air, feeding in to another wave of attack. This tenacity was also indelible in the scrums as Quins Ladies forwards drove hard as one intuitive unit.

Such unity translated across the field as the team worked together to send Sarah Butler over for her third try of the game, closely followed by another for Team Captain Laura Quinn.

Coach Richard Meadows’ words at half time rang in the Ladies ears as they strove to cut down all of Romford’s opportunities to score and create their own, which they did once more with Butler.

The fantastic hands of Lauren Cooper, coupled with a fantastically executed squeeze ball from Jane Hoyes broke the back of Romford’s defence as Hannah Clarke rencted her definitive try of last season and took the final score to 72-0.

Congratulations to the Ladies and well done to Romford & Gidea Park for such an exciting game. Good luck for the rest of the season!