Datchworth Ferns sealed their league win in emphatic fashion with a 10-50 victory over Tabard on Saturday. The home fixture back in January was a tight affair, with the Ferns edging the win 26-21 and they headed into this match expecting to be pushed hard.

Despite dominating possession and territory early on, it took until the thirteenth minute for the Ferns to make the breakthrough. It came from a signature rip from Albany Summers and in switching play from right to left quickly, it was left to Tanita ‘snake hips’ Turner to weave her way through five Tabard players to score.

The second try followed soon after. The backs were in total sync with one another and it was poetry in motion watching their training moves put into a game situation, winger Katie Humphries taking the ball under the posts and the returning Kerry Grant nailing the conversion.

The forwards were certainly the thunder to the backs' lightning, absolutely dominating the scrums and forcing Tabard back with ease. While losing captain Asti Hulley to injury early on was disappointing; it was a welcome return to the team for Flo Hinds who impacted the game throughout with strong carries.

The third try of the day and Tanita’s second was almost a carbon copy of the first. Fast back hands, a punchy run from fullback Bobbie Milligan and her looping pass landed in the hands of Tanita. She had to work to escape the path of some desperate last ditch tackles but the result was magical.

Both Sophia Solomon and Molly Rankine recently won call ups to the County side - a special moment for the club as the pair are the first from the women’s section to do so. And both marked the occasion with a try a piece. Sophia went up the gut of Tabard, storming from deep in the Ferns half to go under the posts. Molly’s try came from excellent work by Elliot Williams and Albany. Albany looked close to breaking through herself before popping the ball off coolly to Molly to run in.

With such a flurry of tries, the Ferns switched off and a penalty pushed them back to defending on their own try line. Tabard took the opportunity to capitalize, and finished the half with the score.

Tabard were short on players and having borrowed Hannah Clark and Edith Corkery Schless in the first half, the two Ferns switched back to green come halftime. Tabard opted to field thirteen players, with the Ferns dropping to match them. With a lead of 7-31 the Ferns were in a healthy position but that late conceded try offered the home side some optimism.

It took the Ferns just three minutes from the restart to score. A penalty for one of many outrageously high tackles was carried by Elliot then Molly before Megan Johnston weaved in to the right of the posts, converted by Kerry.

A penalty pinned the Ferns back on their try line and Tabard were hoping to exploit their advantage, but it was yet again another sublime rip from Albany. She took the ball out before passing out to winger Alice Ashelby who sprinted three quarters of the pitch to score, Kerry with the conversion.

Another huge run from Elliot and a couple of carries later it was back in the hands of Albany who danced past the remaining attempted tacklers to score a try of her own.

The game ended 10-50, with Ferns flooding onto the pitch to celebrate their league win. Ending the season with their highest score of the year. Much can be said about their progress. In a year they’ve gone from a third place finish to a flawless league campaign. The player recruitment has certainly helped. Kerry Grant and Albany Summers brought with them experience and leadership, Abbie Foggo and Holly Davidge while new to rugby have flourished adding needed depth and competition to the squad and the progression of Under 18’s players like Alice Ashelby moving from youth to adult rugby is a reward in itself.

Alongside players, the Ferns welcomed Duncan MacGillvray as backs coach this season. While his exasperated cries can be heard on many a dark night at training, his knowledge and coaching style have had a huge impact on what this squad of women has become. His efforts alongside head coach Phil Solomon must be acknowledged and a big part of the success is down to them.

Datchworth Ferns are the NC 3 South East (North) Undefeated Champions.