Tough conditions. tough opposition. Tough day.

We were re-routed to Crusaders' ground en route as Lakenham's clubhouse was flooded, then we had to wait for a Youth game to finish before getting a changing room and then a hail storm interrupted our warm-up. Nevertheless, the quality of the warm-up and the spirit was encouraging as too were the numbers - with four on the bench.

Then, virtually from the KO, we experienced a year's worth of weather conditions in 25 minutes - hail, sleet, rain, wind and a significant drop in temperature. Not ideal for our game plan to spread it wide and neutralise their powerful forwards. Then just before the halftime whistle the sun came out!!!

The first half was a game of attrition with both sides defending stoically in the dramatic conditions until Lakenham broke the deadlock to score the first try. We must have been camped in their 22 for 15 minutes but were unable to get over the line. It has to be said that they adapted to, and coped with, the conditions better than we did - even though playing on The Common in the middle of winter should have prepared us better!

The Second half started much the same but an interception deep in our half gave Sav the opportunity to run in our only try which she also converted.

From then on a series of fumbles and wayward passes gifted Lakenham several tries but this is not taking anything away from the opposition as they played a physical and determined game using every ounce of their Forward power. They have improved significantly since our first meet earlier in the season and were deserved winners on the day.

Our Player of the Match was undoubtedly Casey who came on as a sub and promptly made hit after hit until her final one which laid her out and prompted the ref to blow the final whistle a few minutes early.

Finally, it was good to get Hannah and Edie back in the fold.