Datchworth was a sea of green on Sunday as 26 Ferns took to the field for a spirited inter-team clash. With Beth Goodfellow, Laura King, Amelia Woolass and Alex Walker kindly joining from neighbouring clubs to bolster the ranks, the stage was set for a memorable Ferns vs Barbarians encounter.

Despite the soggy start to the year, conditions were glorious, providing the perfect backdrop for an entertaining contest that delivered eight tries and plenty of drama.

Unfortunately for the Barbarians front row, they were obliterated before the game had a chance to come to life. Captain Asti Hulley stood down pregame due to sickness. Then from the opening kickoff Anna Cason and Lynne Solomon eager to make the first tackle collided with each other, requiring a hospital visit and 7 stitches between them - not quite the run out either had envisioned!

After a quick reshuffle of the teams and the referee’s decision to have uncontested scrums it was back underway with 14 Ferns vs 13 Barbarians. Albany Summers produced a number of punching runs from the 8 position, and three consecutive penalties by Barbarians gave the Ferns good ground. A mistake from the Ferns though saw the ball go back the other way and a smart lineout lead to good linkup between Barbarians visitors, Alex and Amelia who appeared destined to open the scoring before a thumping tackle into touch by Bobbie Milligan.

The breakthrough came 15 minutes in, a scrum on the halfway line saw Albany pop out the back with the ball for a solid gain before Sophia Solomon made a weaving run evading three tacklers and somehow bobbling the ball out to Alice Ashelby to score.

Both sides showed plenty of positives. The breakdown tempo was sharp and scrum-halves Abbie Foggo and Laura Turnbull-James impressed with quick service and fearless tackling. With both forward packs still developing cohesion, support lines and pod work weren’t always fluid, but the work rate and physicality were undeniable. Tasha Cockram and Holly Davidge both new to rugby this season, were prime examples of this and had games to be proud of.

Youngster Alice Ashelby, stepping up from U18s to the wing, showed no fear in defence. Bringing down the likes of Teri Allen and Elliot Williams was testament to her technique and determination.

An injury to Sophia meant that coach Phil was officially the last Solomon standing, and as Barbarians coach he would have hoped they’d see out the half just the one score behind. From a penalty deep inside their own territory, the Ferns wrestled the ball from the Barbarians. Kerry Grant powered through four tacklers, before releasing vice captain Tanita Turner, who sprinted three quarters of the pitch to extend the lead.

Kerry soon added one of her own. Following sharp handling in the backs and a clever kick ahead, Bobbie chased hard to cause havoc. The ball found its way back to Kerry, who finished clinically to round off an impressive first-half display from the Ferns’ backline.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Kerry again orchestrated a flowing move with rapid passes that found Bobbie on the wing, and she strode in under the posts.

A penalty saw Megan Johnson score in a style only she could carry off. With the Ferns pegged back on their own try line and a gaping hole down the right wing, Megan takes it through all the bodies and still manages to squeeze it home for a try. Coach Duncan noted that Megan’s mum watching from the sidelines was with her all the way.

As fatigue set in, the game became more end-to-end, errors creeping in and the referee reminding both captains to keep tackles low.

Back inside the Barbarians 22, the Ferns dug in and while it was Alice who eventually ran between the posts the try was undoubtedly a team effort. The forwards with several good carries worked from right to left where the backs took over again with slick passing and weaving back to the right wing where Alice sneaked home.

The Barbarians responded with determination, driving the Ferns back onto their own line. Despite Molly Rankine’s valiant attempt to hold the ball up, Elliot crashed the ball down to score.

And with the final score of the day fell to Nicky Dean. Returning to rugby after two years out, and telling coach Phil she might manage ten minutes or so - she lasted a full match and wrapped up a Ferns victory with the winning try!

While not the scheduled league fixture, the match proved an invaluable run-out. Training ground moves were tested — some executed, some perhaps best forgotten — and no doubt coaches Phil and Duncan will revisit both in the coming weeks.

With three league games remaining, all away from home, the Ferns face a defining stretch. Sitting on the brink of a championship and potentially an unbeaten season, it marks a remarkable turnaround for a squad that only two years ago struggled to field a side. Sunday’s display was another resounding testament to the growth and commitment within the women’s and girls’ section at Datchworth.