Words by Meg Esser

With debuts from 4 players this game, prop Tiegan Batiste, hooker Charlize Thompson, Centre Samantha Wright and Georgina Davey, the Sirens put on a fantastic display of rugby at the lane. Basingstoke were low on players and both teams were keen to get some game time, after borrowing 4 players from Eastleigh Ladies RFC, the game started with 13 players a side.

The Sirens started well from the kick off but without any flankers, the forwards had to work hard on their structure, relying on the strong back line to get over the gain line. Basingstoke had a strong well-formed defence so after lots of forward balls, the backs managed to break the line. In the 15th minute, experienced scrum half and acting Captain Nette Petley grounded the ball over the line 5m from the side line. With a tough conversion, Fly Half Libby Mell got the ball through the posts, making the score 7-0 to the sirens.

With Basingstoke in possession, the Sirens kept a strong defence, stopping the Basingstoke attacks, unfortunately for the strong and aggressive Sirens scrum we have seen in previous games, the scrums were uncontested, meaning we couldn’t turn the ball over. Basingstoke took a fast pick and go off the back of the scrum and gained meters, the Sirens carried on fighting but in the end, an overlap formed and Basingstoke broke the line and scored the try. Converted. Score 7-7.

With the Sirens back in possession, the women worked hard to protect the ball in rucks and break the gain line. As the women pushed further and further up the pitch, winning a scrum 5m from the opposition try line. An 8 pick and go off the scrum and offload and try to Nette Petley, the Sirens scored and were in the lead again, another fantastic conversion from the fly half left the score at 14-7. Kicking off again, the Sirens quickly gained possession of the ball, a fast balls to the backs saw outside centre Daisy Lumsden, who was freshly back from a deployment with the Royal Navy, step the entire Basingstoke defensive line to ground the ball under the posts for the 3rd Sirens try of the game. Converted again by Libby Mell who has had a 100% conversion rate in this half. Half time score, Sirens 21 – 7 Basingstoke.

Due to some injuries to the Basingstoke side, Womens Head Coach Matt Davis made the decision to loan the away team 3 players to be able to bring the game up to 15 a side. Second rows Sianne Lown , MJ Pierre and Hooker Suzie Yaldiz donned the Basingstoke shirts and showed what rugby at Havant is all about: teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship (TREDS).

In the second half the Sirens continued playing their structure which proved to be too much for the Basingstoke side to handle. The Sirens were consistently strong and another ball made its way to centre Daisy Lumsden who broke the line in the Basingstoke defence once again. Try scored. Not converted. Score 26 -7 to the Sirens. The Sirens regained possession at the kick off and after a short period of open play, once again the ball found its way into the hands of Daisy, scoring her hattrick of the day. Not converted. Score 31-7 to the Sirens.

Basingstoke managed to keep possession this time and a Basingstoke scrum on the halfway line resulted in an 8 pick from the away side, who managed to break the Sirens defensive line and ground the ball for another try. Not converted. Score 31-12 to the Sirens.

One more try was scored by the Sirens in the Second half, flanker Steph Millns worked her way over the try line. This was Converted. Score 38-14 to the Sirens. Basingstoke scored the last unconverted try of the game, with another break though the defensive line.

Captain Nette Petley said this after the game, ‘ It was an absolute honour to captain such a brilliant team! Incredible to see so many people make their debuts today. Every single player gave everything they had. The players are improving every week, and when you put that with the passion they showed today we are a force to be reckoned with. We will continue to grow and develop but we are in a great place with this win.’

The forward of the match was Steph Millns
The back of the match was Daisy Lumsden

Head coach Matt Davis received the club mascot Hook for his commitment to the team this season, with both teams consistently showcasing his new structures.