Sevenoaks visited the Lodge to take on BV U16 girls on a very pleasant Sunday afternoon.
Sevenoaks arrived short-handed after two late illness withdrawals (a front row and a back). In the best spirit of the game, and with BV strong in numbers, (22 of our 27 available) a prop and winger were loaned to avoid uncontested scrums. As the match went on and further injuries occurred, BV would eventually lend a total of six players, 3 each half to ensure 15-a-side rugby could continue.
Sevenoaks settled quickly and applied early pressure, crossing for a converted try after 10 minutes to take a 0–7 lead.
BV responded well. After a spell of back-and-forth play, a loose Oaks pass was pounced on following a strong counter-ruck. In only her third ever game of rugby, Chisom showed great composure to slip a neat pass to Heidi who powered over. The conversion was missed, but BV were back in it at 5–7.
The result from this try however, was that unfortunately Oaks lost yet another player, having numbers on the bench BV lent another player to assist and keep the 15 a-side rugby going.
A great catch from the kick off and some strong “Pod” running from the forwards, the ball then made its way out to the backs and some good lines of running, Heidi “CHIP”- Powell, chipped through with herself, Chisom and Issy chasing up, but a bounce to the left placed the ball in front of the Oaks defender who kicked it dead, scrum 5!
A pick and go from Lucy fell short of the line and a penalty for not releasing meant that Oaks took quick tap and a lack of reaction allowed the Oaks back line to run the ball out of their own 22 to just inside the halfway, stopped by a superb covering tackle, from Issy, forcing the knock-on. A series of knock-on’s followed and Oaks made a strong run from the scrum through their very powerful centre, pushing them right up into BV’s 22, but another superb tackle from Issy, with Heidi slowing her up, but, giving herself a nasty dead leg in the process, resulting in her hobbling off (now realising with the loaning of three of our players and now having 2 off through injury, our bench was getting somewhat depleted). BV took the ball at the line out and Scarlett passed to Paris to clear the lines, unfortunately, not clearing and the catcher came running back at BV and after a couple of phases the ball got passed to the centre, who broke through several tackles to score. 5-12.
Another deep kick into the Oaks half, nearly 22, was ran straight back at BV, but some now stronger tackling and a big hit from Lucy on the centre, stripping the ball in the tackle and thus awarding BV the Scrum. A loose pass picked up by Issy allowed her to punch through the Oaks defence and then from Lucy to Alex M (“Bexie Lexie”) as she powered her way into the Oaks 22, cleared out by Molly and picked up at the base by Eliza, but unfortunately no visit yet. Eventually BV went over to secure the half with a try from Eliza in the corner, unconverted. 10-12
Half time meant making more changes and bringing those girls that had helped Oaks in the first half back with their BV teammates and lending yet another 3 BV girls for the second half. Unfortunately, the game now had to go uncontested as BV no longer had any spare front row to lend.
BV came out firing. Lucy made immediate ground from the restart, and sustained forward pressure followed. Scarlett’s quick service at the base allowed Lucy to take a pop pass and crash over for BV’s third try, with Paris converting to give BV the lead at 17–12.
Oaks came back hard straight away and a fumbled catch from the restart gave them a scrum on the BV 22. Oaks pushed on and a penalty five yards out looked like they would take the try, however some powerful defending from the BV girls forced the Oaks to panic and knock the ball on, BV scrum. The kick to get out the red zone was successfully charged down meaning BV had no option but to gather the ball and run it out, executed brilliantly by Poppy D, Lucy, Nancy and Chisom getting us up to the 22, only to be pushed in to touch. Oaks won their own set piece but great pressure from the back line forced the error an Oaks knocked it on.
Pick from 8, popped to 10 on to 12 back to 7, secured nicely, working up the pitch right into Oaks 22, eleven phases of play, unfortunately, finished with a knock-on right on the try line. However, an offside infringement meant that BV got the ball back and a tap and go saw Abi crash over and easily converted by Paris. 24-12
A great catch from Molly from the restart, followed by a knock-on in the pass gave Oaks the scrum but some solid defence meant that from the scrum they still failed to break the gain line and a great tackle from Issy taking the winger out in touch gave BV the ball. BV attacked from the line out and pushed up the field, after 3 phases, an isolated player, and lack of support, struggled and knocked the ball on. Oaks went for the chip kick from the 10 off the back of the scrum which proved the right decision and BV fumbled the ball in to touch, but Oaks took the knock-on advantage which saw them score a very well worked try under the posts, followed by a simple conversion. 24-19
BV won there own ball back from a nicely timed run from both Chisom and “Bexie” Lexie, with the latter ripping the ball and pushing forward, Oaks repaying the favour and stealing the ball with a well time “Jackal” only to then knock it on in the pass, which proved to be a bit repetitive for Oaks as they won the ball back and knocked it on several times more.
BV continued to press and narrowly missed a score in the corner as Oaks pushed the winger into to touch. Oaks took a solid set piece and kicked to clear, However, a well-placed, Heidi took the ball on the bounce and after some lovely footwork BV were straight back into the 22, ball knocked on after a few “loose” passes and poor hands. The last sentence then repeated in play word for word and in exactly the same place the scrum was reset. Ironically, Oaks opted for the same again, but this time put a marker on Heidi, who was tackled, but not held, so she returned to her feet, but failed to release the ball as she stood up.
Oaks went for the quick tap and go and pushed up the field with some great support only to panic and gave away a silly penalty. BV kicked for the touch, not quiet making it, a great catch from Oaks, but unfortunately, she just put her foot in touch. Oaks knocked the ball on giving BV the scrummage and the set piece. BV punched up but as fatigue was starting to show and a silly mistake on the floor meant a penalty to Oaks just outside BV half.
Some great running rugby then came from Oaks, and they hunted the BV 22. After an accidental stray finger, the game was stopped and Oaks had the scrum as they were in possession at the time of stoppage. BV dug deep and put Oaks under much pressure, and the game was now being played on the halfway line with the clock ticking away. BV went on the attack again through Heid and Eliza, being well supported by the BV back row of Lucy, Bexie Lexie and Eve. The ball went wide again but the last pass just didn’t get there.

Oaks got the ball away but due to the flanker dropping out the scrum, unexpectedly, the referee blew his whistle, thankfully she was ok to proceed, and the game restarted with an Oaks scrum
. BV pressured hard and forced Oaks to panic, this led to a huge hit from Abi with Poppy Y ripping the ball and feeding the line. After two more phases and some good rucking Eliza went over to firm the score, unfortunately not converted. Final whistle 29-19.
This was a pleasure to be involved in, both teams played with respect, friendliness, and true rugby spirit throughout. Thanks to Sevenoaks, and best wishes for the rest of the season. Special mention to the six BV girls who stepped in to help ensure the game could be played.
Finally, well done to all the BV girls for sticking at it and showing real grit. Wishing a speedy recovery to those carrying knocks, we go again next week.

Coach Hoops