On Sunday the 10th of September the newly formed U14 age group Kingswood Athena's travelled to the Bristol Imperial Girls for a highly anticipated first game of the season. The U14 coaching team had laid on extra summer skills and fitness sessions and it was clear to see that the girls had massively benefited and everyone was eager to see how this would now adapt onto the field of play. The Bristol Imperial girls would undoubtably be a tough outing for a first fixture having beaten some of the regions finest last season.

As the game began it was clear to see how well the Athena's had responded to all the extra drills and training. The Athena girls were attacking with speed and accuracy. The ball was moving between the back line and the breakdowns were being supported with strength and power. The Athena's were taking an early stronghold over the game and breaking the Imperial defensive line with ease. A scrum was soon awarded to the Athena's after some strong defence. Played in by scrum half, Dominique Downie, the ball was skilfully collected by No 8, Scarlett Bryant, who set off with power and agility. Scarlett made multiple yardage up the pitch before quick ball phase play was passed to Emily Barnston who jinked a couple of Imperial Girls and scored the game's opening try to the right of the posts. The conversion was made by Iris Greenwood with a lovely long range effort guided sweetly between the uprights.

After the restart the Athena's set off in much the same way again. Lots of physicality and support play was helping the girls progress up the pitch. Imperial were struggling to get into the game due to the speed and discipline of the Athena's. After several phases the Athena's worked the ball towards the Imperial right corner and the ball was passed to Hana Black playing in her first game at Full back. Hana skipped over an Imperial player and dived and stretched for the line scoring the Athena's 2nd in the far right corner.

The Athena dominance however was to be short lived and the Imperial girls started to ebb back into the game. Their forward unit started to exert their power and physicality over the Athena's and after some sustained pressure the inevitable happened and Imperial scored. The conversion was missed. After the restart Imperial were right back at it again and their strong forward pack made strides up towards the Athena try line. More Imperial line breaks and pressure resulted in an Imperial try between the Athena posts and the conversion was comfortably made. Meaning the first 3rd ended even 12 -12.

The game ebbed and flowed after the restart and both sides were cancelling each other out somewhat near to the centre of the field. The Athena's rallied and began disrupting the Imperial breakdowns causing a well won turnover which was collected by Scarlett who ran past several looming Imperial players. The Imperial Full Back tried her hardest to fell Scarlett 5 meters from the line but a powerful hand off meant that Scarlett was able to touch down for the Athena's. The conversion was missed. Iris Greenwood playing at Fly Half then finished of another brilliant flowing Athena move and found a gap between the Imperial defence to score between the posts. Emily powered the ball between the posts for the extra 2 points.

Much like the first 3rd, the Athena's then began to allow Imperial back into the game and a couple of missed tackles allowed Imperial field position which they were able to convert into a try and subsequent conversion. More missed tackles from the Athena's and a loss in aggression at the breakdowns resulted in another Imperial try just before the end of the second 3rd. The conversion was missed but the scores remained equal still at 24 - 24.

The final 3rd kicked off and both sides appeared a little nervous. The Athena's didn't start well and allowed the Imperial girls far too much respect at the breakdowns. They were again able to use their strong forwards to advance up the pitch and after several phases of play the Athena's defensive line broke and Imperial were able to score sending them ahead for the first time in the game. The conversion was missed. It was now up to the Athena's to rally and see how they would handle being behind. Rally however, is what they did. The Athena's began to exert the same pressure they displayed at the start of the game. They attacked with pace and supported with power. Some great hands and excellent team work saw the ball end up with Scarlett who ran hard and finished off some brilliant team play by the girls. The conversion was missed and the scores were now 29 - 29, with minutes left on the clock….

The Athena's Nyla O'Loughlin expertly gathered the restart from a high kick and set out on a spirited run into an oncoming Imperial pack. The ball was recycled several times and then cometh the hour, cometh the girl. Romilly Langdon was passed the ball near to the half way line and with a fantastic arching run she sailed past the Imperial back line and aimed for the far right corner. Imperial gave it their best efforts but couldn't catch Romilly who banked sharp left and was able to score between the posts for the winning try. The conversion was missed but the scoreline was 29 - 34 to the Athena's at the final whistle. A great win by the Athena's. Each and every girl gave it their best and they got their reward from a summer of hard work and dedication.

Special mentions to Romilly Langdon who received 'forward of the game', Hana Black who received 'back of the game' and Phoebe Marsh who mad the tackle of the game.

Congratulations Athena's. A great start to the season and a great grounding for Drybrook away next week.

Final Score 29 - 34

Try - Barnston (5)
Con - Greenwood (7)
Try - Black (12)
Missed Con
Try - Imperial (5)
Missed Con
Try - Imperial (10)
Con (12)
First 3rd 12 - 12
Try - Bryant (17)
Missed con
Try - Imperial (17)
Missed con
Try - Greenwood (22)
Con - Barnston (24)
Try - Imperial (22)
Con (24)
Second 3rd 24 - 24
Try - Imperial 29
Missed Con
Try - Bryant (29)
Missed con
Try - Langdon (34)
Full time 29 - 34