Thurrock Ladies 29, Old Albanians 14

WHAT an advert for women's rugby! The top two teams in the English Championship South slugged it out for the whole contest, with Thurrock finally emerging triumphant!

This match was always going to be the decider and it didn't disappoint.

Thurrock , with a strong north-easterly at their backs opened the stronger and their pack soon had the upper hand.

The front-row of Leah Dixon.Georgia Cook and Sophia John were immense in their carrying, whereas the tackling and jackalling of Sam Willmott, Maddy Lockwood and Sophia Jordan was extraordinary.

Claire Phelps loves to bring momentum with her charging cameos and with Nicole Smith, this is an outstanding partnership in the second row.

This pack was commanding from the start and the forward dominance laid the foundation for yet another famous victory at Oakfield.

Ami Parsad was constantly buzzing around the breakdown and vying with Georgia Cook for the quick probe or tap penalty.

"Radders's' partnership with Jade Wong is bearing fruit and one right-footed side-step and acceleration from the fly-half must have delighted coach Emily Scott!

Captain India Harvey provides the hearbeat of the team and even through considerable pain she is a real inspiration to all! Add to that, the emerging talent that is Sophie Tyler and the pace of the back three of Hannah Thornhill, Annelise Kerley and Nineta Akintade and you have the complete package!

There is no doubt that this team is superbly coached and Director of Rugby Dean White must be so proud of all concerned. The tactics were the key to success and, in spite of the fact that Old Albanians possessed some brilliant backs in Caroline Collie, Eloise Bloomfield and Steff Plunkett, there was no way they were going to break free of the stranglehold Thurrock had enveloped them in.

Indeed Collie was outstanding with some muscular runs and "siege-gun" kicking.

For the opposition Rochelle Smith and Becky Bristow were prominent in the line-out, while Charlotte Hamlin-Williams and Storm Colbain fought hard all day.Geri Thomas was everywhere and what a battle with the ebullient Georgia Cook and her infective energy!

Nevertheless it was the Thurrock forwards who signposted the way with some thunderous carrying. When the scrum snapped forward it was the indomitable Sam Willmott who benefited with a brace of deserved tries. It is little wonder that the No.8 picks up so many accolades!

Props Leah Dixon and Sophi John were rampaging around, dislodging opponents at the breakdown, winning turnovers and carrying all before them as they made vast inroads through the defence.

They picked up a try apiece before the constant pressure brought a penalty try. Annelise Kerley kicked one conversion before making a magnificent try saving tackle on the equally magnificent Caroline Collie.

Indeed Collie scored all the Saints' points in a real cameo performance, but it was never going to be enough to get close to this truly outstanding Thurrock team who have been dominating Championship rugby over the past decade.

When the management brought on the"finishers" there was immediate impact as the team was re-energised.Sarah Dyche, Hannah Duffy, Poppy Jones and Sarah-Jane Earwicker added real power and passion and it was so good to see Corin Burch, Izzy Lush and Ellie Lawther having a chance to show their paces in the light of Hannah Thornhill's quad injury.

All that remained was for India to give her traditional, impassioned speech to the fanatical Thurrock support and dedicate this latest Championship success to the memory of the much-loved and missed, Jeff Selway and what a fitting tribute it was.