The day was meant to be an under 14 girls 10s festival at Saracens, but during the week the clubs were told there weren’t enough entries. Parents from 7Wells and Ashford had already committed to the Saturday and bought tickets for the afternoon’s PWR Cup match between Saracens Women and Exeter Chiefs Women. The two clubs decided to play each other anyway and set up their own cup for the occasion, and Saracens still agreed to host.

The match was a 10s fixture over four 12-minute quarters, with uncontested three-player scrums and no conversions. Ten girls a side on Saracens’ Stone X Stadium pitch made for an open and exhausting game. Both sides made good use of rolling subs from their squads of 12 (7Wells) and 13 (Ashford). 7Wells’ tries came from seven different scorers.

7Wells made a blistering start. Lottie scored in the third minute, and Sophie (twice), Phoebe, Holly and Rosie followed her over for a 30-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Lottie again and Tilly took it to 40-0 by the 16th minute. Ashford’s Iris got her side on the board on 20 minutes, but Sydney replied two minutes later for a 45-5 half-time lead.

Rosie scored her second early in the second half, but Ashford responded well, Iris crossing twice in quick succession to complete her hat-trick. Lottie completed her own hat-trick, Hettie replied for Ashford, and Sophie’s third try made it 60-20. The second half finished level at 15-15.

Sophie was named 7Wells player of the match by the match officials. She and Lottie both scored hat-tricks and Rosie two, while front-rowers Phoebe and Sydney got on the scoresheet along with Holly and Tilly. Credit to Ashford’s Iris for her hat-trick.

Nella captained the side with authority and led the line with her carrying, offloads and work securing possession. Eliza had great hands, Felicity carried strongly and Mya tackled brilliantly. Scarlett worked well at scrum half, both distributing and making sniping runs that caught the defence on the back foot.

Big thanks to Saracens for still hosting, to referee Chantelle Miell, the GB Sevens international, and to Saracens’ liaison Kieran Hopper.