Teams
- Finsbury Park Panthers
- Mitcham and Carshalton Women's
- Old Alleynians Women
- Southwark Tiger Lillies
vs:
- Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women's Rugby Team

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Sunday 7 December, under the lights at Ealing Stadium with supporters in the bleachers. An Inner Warrior fixture hosted by Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women against a Barbarians combination from Mitcham and Carshalton Women, Southwark Tiger Lillies, Old Alleynians Women, and the ever-lively Finsbury Park Panthers.

The Barbarians, in green, assemble as coach Sean Burke attempts to slot players into hopefully familiar roles. It’s a game of mostly debutants, with no contest at the ruck and uncontested scrums.

A slow start for the visitors as the hosts settle quickly into their structure. Ealing exploit a knock-on, win the scrum, move it wide and touch down in the corner.
5–0

From the restart, Ealing immediately score under the posts and convert. Nerves rise as fans fear a mismatch.
12–0

The Greens regain composure. Helena’s restart is reclaimed, and several well worked phases carry them over the 22, but a knock-on lets Ealing counter from deep and finish in the corner.
17–0

Ealing attempt the same wide attack, but Charlotte bundles them into touch. Greens secure the line-out but stall in their 22 and can't exit; an attempted clearance falls short and is gathered by Ealing who score again out wide.
22-0

The visitors begin to find their shape, stringing together a dozen phases of great play, working touchline to touchline. A double-debut display sees Eleanor offload to Florence, who breaks from halfway but is hauled down just short of the try line. Turnover ball, and Ealing clear under pressure.

Ealing reach the Greens’ half but can’t break through. Helena and Charlotte set the tone with heavy tackles, holding the line until the whistle ends the quarter.

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The rules are changed now, competing at the ruck is allowed!

We go again, Greens win a line-out, but bad news as Charlotte is injured from a ruck collapsing on her, that's what she gets for being so involved!
Ealing make the most of the reduced Panther presence and score under the posts
27-0

Ealing catch the restart and assume they can run it along the wing for another easy score, but a massive tackle from Helena sits down Ealing's 12. Fearing another hit, Ealing stretch it to the opposite touch line but Sophie makes a try saving tackle on the 5 yard line. Ali is quick to step in and jackals the ball to gain possession.

Sharp hands follow in the back, straight out of the Burke playbook, Ali to Helena, Helena to Floss, Floss to Sophie, it's nothing but Panthers rugby as Sophie slices through and runs the length to score!
27-5

Restart, and Greens push to maintain momentum. Eleanor is securing rucks left & right and the ball is sent wide to Floss, who surges over half the pitch but sadly loses it forward from a cover tackle.

Ealing, struggling to find gaps, start to spread the ball from wing to wing and eventually score in the corner. Each try means fresh legs from the rolling subs, but the constant changes upset cohesion.
32-5

A spark for the away fans as Ali loops wide and makes ground, but with no 9 available a slow recycle leads to a turnover. Ealing score under the posts and convert for the second time.
39-5

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Half Time

Greens must have had a great team talk, as they now emerge with a disciplined defensive line. Charlotte leads from the front and smashes a carrier back over the gain line, while Ali is screaming for players to fold. Ealing win two penalties in a row but can't do anything with them, it's a real stalemate in the start of the 2nd half as nobody can make any yards.

Eventually Ealing win a scrum on the Green 22 and try a set piece, but Eleanor peels from her flank and flattens the Ealing 10. Greens earn a penalty from the aftermath of the hit and work upfield, but lose possession and Ealing claim their first try of the half.
44-5

Ealing collect the kick and, capitalising on tired legs, finish under the posts as the whistle sounds.
Converted. 51-5