The Datchworth Ferns welcomed Milton Keynes on Sunday for their first home game in NC2. The sides met in a tightly contested friendly last season and another close encounter was expected.

The Ferns fielded one of their youngest teams ever. Debutants Thea Wheatley and Isla McFarlane were named among the replacements, while seven members of the squad had progressed through Datchworth's youth system - a remarkable achievement for the club.

The Ferns kicked off to open the game and a strong defensive shape kept MK pinned back in their own 22. It took MK 20 minutes to finally cross halfway, highlighting the Ferns' organised defence and relentless pressure.

With captain Asti Hulley and vice-captain Tanita Turner sidelined through injury, Megan Johnstone stepped up as vice-captain alongside Grace Atkins. The pair did a stellar job leading this youthful side against a strong MK outfit. Megan was relentless in defence, repeatedly making dominant double tackles, while Grace combined slick handling with trademark powerful carries.

MK cranked up the pressure and a try saving tackle from Alice Ashelby kept the game all square. Just as it looked like MK were gaining the upper hand, pressure from the Ferns flipped the switch. A smart kick from Kerry Grant was chased and recovered by Katie Humphreys. Lucy Penn then punched through the defence, fending off would be tacklers before popping the ball to Molly Rankine, who raced in from halfway to score. Ferns with the deserved 5-0 lead.

The Ferns weren’t letting up the pressure in the final minutes of the half. Lucy ripped off a lung busting run covering nearly half the pitch. MK recovered the ball back and some electric play from their fullback forced Alice into action, hauling down her opposite number.

In the second half the battle continued, MK kicked off and the Ferns had a couple of nice powerful runs by Grace and Elliot Williams who was making their first start in the front row. Their strength was required particularly in the second half as the scrum count soared.

MK are a strong side with a number of players who have played high level rugby, and their experience began to show as the Ferns tired. Yet Grace and Megan continued to set the standards required, with some last ditch defending while the Ferns were on their own tryline. MK spent nearly five minutes on the Ferns line before finally forcing their way over.

Making her first start, Frances Uy continued to impress despite being relatively new to rugby. With Katie and Alice guiding her throughout, she typified the team's willingness to support one another.

After a pause in play while Flo Hinds received treatment for a knock, play resumed with a scrum. MK drove forward and strong running met tired tackling. They quickly switched the ball from left to right before crossing for their second try.

Although the Ferns fell to a narrow defeat, the improvement from week one to week two was remarkable. Every player battled for one another, the senior squad members led by example, and everyone (from the starting XV to those making an impact from the bench) played their part. It was a performance full of heart and one the club can be proud of. The result may not have gone their way, but the future of this young Ferns side looks incredibly bright.