Datchworth Ferns began the new year determined to maintain their strong start to the season, and as Storm Goretti swept in the team knew they had to bring the heat.

Following a frosty start across the county, Datchworth’s groundstaff worked tirelessly to ensure the fixture against table toppers Tabard could go ahead. With Tabard known league wide for their powerhouse forwards, the Ferns were looking to unleash their pace and creativity in the backs to counter the threat.

It was a long awaited return to the team for Ferns captain Asti Hulley. After nearly two years sidelined through injury and surgery, her resilience and commitment to rehabilitation all while remaining a constant presence around the squad made her comeback particularly special. Her inclusion provided a huge lift for the home side.

The opening exchanges were tightly contested, with much of the play concentrated around the midfield and neither team able to establish early dominance. Tabard were the first to gain meaningful territory, forcing the Ferns into a resolute “bend but don’t break” defensive effort inside their own 22. Relief came through some excellent interplay between Albany Summers and Mily Saunders. From a scrum, Albany fed Mily, who danced through several defenders before returning the ball to Summers to regain central field position. Minutes later Mily struck again, racing down the wing and finishing under the posts. Kerry Grant added the conversion to give the Ferns the opening score.

Twenty minutes in, play was halted by a lengthy injury delay to Zoe Wood after an awkward landing from a lineout. On the restart, Tabard showed their experience, moving the ball quickly across the width of the pitch before forcing their way over to level the contest.

Before the half ended, the Ferns cranked up the pressure and a crucial ruck steal by Albany saw the ball worked out to the left wing for Katie Humphreys to take home. Despite holding the advantage at the break, the message was clear: the contest was far from settled, and defensive focus would be key in the second half.

Alice Ashelby, Brooke Melton and Isla Threlfall all made Fern debuts before Christmas in a friendly against Letchworth; Alice took to the field at half time and carried on much as she’d left off. Her pace allowing her to ghost in at the corner for the score.

Brooke and Isla while not on the field for as long as they’d like both contributed with strong carries and fast rucks, age not at all holding back these future Ferns.

A storming run up the middle from the Ferns number 10 Kerry Grant epitomised her back of the match performance. Unlucky not to complete the score herself, she popped the ball out to Alice for the final paces to extend the Ferns lead.

Tabard refused to go away and continued to apply pressure in the latter stages. Their physicality at the scrum proved the sternest test the Ferns have faced this season, and a lapse in concentration allowed the visitors to close the gap to 26–14 with around ten minutes remaining.

Defensively, the Ferns were led by the tireless Molly Rankine, whose relentless work rate saw her cover every inch of the pitch. Alongside a forward-of-the-match display from Albany Summers, the Ferns now boast a formidable pairing on the flanks.

Datchworth came close to sealing the contest after working the ball to within inches of the tryline, but outstanding Tabard defence kept them out. In the final moments, Tabard broke upfield to score again, narrowing the margin to 26–21, but time was against them and the Ferns held on for a deserved victory.

The top-of-the-table clash delivered high-quality rugby, played in the right spirit throughout. The Ferns will expect an equally tough challenge when they travel to Tabard in March.

For now, the Ferns remain undefeated and sit second in the NC3 South East (north) table, with a game in hand.