Datchworth Ferns took a major step towards the league title on Sunday with an impressive 34–0 victory away at Northampton BBOB. While the final scoreline suggests a comfortable afternoon, the reality was a fiercely contested, physical encounter in which the Ferns had to work tirelessly for every point.

The visitors made the perfect start. From the opening kick-off, Datchworth quickly regained possession from a lineout and moved the ball across the pitch with purpose. Strong carries from the forwards combined with sharp movement in the backs to stretch the BBOB defence. The home side briefly thought they had recovered possession, but Katie Humphreys reacted quickest on the wing. The ball was swiftly moved across the field (despite a couple of high tackles) to Alice Ashelby on the opposite flank, and the youngster raced in under the posts to give the Ferns an early lead.

Northampton responded with a strong spell of pressure, using an effective kicking game to gain territory. They came close to levelling the score after exposing space out wide, but Datchworth’s pace allowed them to scramble back in defence. The Ferns eventually escaped their own try line following a lineout, with Albany Summers producing what is becoming a trademark run, shrugging off multiple tacklers in the process.

Pinned deep once more inside their own 15, Lucy Penn turned defence into attack with a booming clearance kick that reached halfway. Molly Rankine secured possession and within three passes the ball reached Katie Humphreys, who found open space and outpaced the final defender to touch down beneath the posts and double the Ferns’ advantage.

To say it was a feisty affair would be an understatement. Both teams were in strong title contention, both physically strong and powerful and no doubt BBOB wanted revenge on home soil after losing at Datchworth earlier this year. Penalties peppered the game and a relatively green referee was certainly given plenty to do! Cries of “calm it down” came from both sets of coaches.

After a spell where play became bogged down around midfield, the Ferns struck again following a penalty for repeated BBOB infringements. It was a try that perfectly reflected the Ferns’ team identity. A series of powerful forward carries led by captain Asti Hulley drove the visitors upfield. Once space appeared, scrum-half Abbie Foggo moved the ball quickly to Alice, who crossed for her second try and then added the conversion herself to extend the lead to 0-17.

There was nearly another spectacular score before half-time when forward Elliot Williams broke through and threatened to run three-quarters of the length of the pitch, eventually being halted by three defenders near the 22. Teri Allen continued the momentum with a bulldozing carry, and slick interplay between Bobbie Milligan and Katie Humphreys appeared set to produce another try before play was stopped for a forward pass.

It was a disappointing end to the half as fly half Kerry Grant was forced off with an injury. Kerry’s stature in the team has increased week on week, her leadership skills in orchestrating plays between backs and forwards as well as her own gritty determined runs and incredible kicking ability. The Ferns will hope to have her back for their final two games of the season.

A minute into the second half, BBOB looked poised to score a try yet the referee stopped play for an injury to one of their own players. Frustration perhaps got the better of the home side as their number 8 flew in with yet another high tackle earning herself a yellow card - a decision that nobody could argue over.

As the game wore on, BBOB began to tire, allowing the Ferns’ forwards to impose themselves further. Albany Summers and Molly Rankine repeatedly punched holes through the middle, following the game plan that had served Datchworth so well throughout the afternoon: forward power to create space before releasing the backs. On this occasion Bobbie Milligan timed her run perfectly, holding her position before pouncing on the opportunity to score and push the lead to 0-22.

As the half went on, the Ferns got to use their bench. Laura Turnbull-James an experienced replacement at scrum half, Isla Threlfall another excellent under 18 player poised to become a full time Fern in the future, Hannah Clark took over at hooker while Holly Davidge slotted in at second row, and it’s back to back games now for Alex Tyrrell - always impressive to see the head of the women and girls section at Datchworth take to the field herself.

Lucy Penn also produced one of the standout moments of the afternoon. In her debut season she had been jokingly remembered for stumbling on her first touch of the ball, but she has come a long way since then. On Sunday she powered through at least six BBOB defenders during a huge run that eventually ended near the 22. Minutes later she repeated the feat, nearly going the entire distance before finally being stopped. The effort left her battling cramp, but the reward soon followed as the backs moved the ball wide for Katie Humphreys to claim her second try of the match in the corner.

While the contest was largely dictated by forward dominance due to BBOB’s physicality, the Ferns’ backs were equally committed in defence. Late in the game, both Alice and Bobbie (already contributors on the scoreboard) produced vital tackles to prevent Northampton from getting over the line. The same combination delivered a crucial last-ditch defensive stand when BBOB came within a yard of scoring.

The match ended in spectacular fashion thanks to the “baby Ferns.” Alice completed her hat-trick by running the full length of the pitch, supported all the way by Isla Threlfall, sealing an emphatic 0-34 victory for the visitors..

The Ferns went to Northampton with a clear objective: secure the win that would move them closer to the league title. To achieve it in such a comprehensive style while keeping the home side scoreless was a powerful statement.

Two games left of the season, still undefeated. Datchworth Ferns are fierce and flourishing.