Brighton, Away (49-12 win)

Today's game was all the way in Eastbourne near Brighton, where we were excited to play the local team for the first time and to try on our brand-new kit. We barely made the train (extremely unfit media sec had to sprint through Victoria Station, followed by blood-tasting coughs throughout the journey. To our coach: just kidding! My fitness is excellent! Please put me on the squad again!!).
When we arrived we discovered that Brighton only had 11 players, putting a damper on warm-up (as well as their facilities - taken straight out of a horror movie slaughterhouse), as we had all sacrificed lectures, work and placement in order to be able to play, meaning some subs did not even make the pitch during the game. Lynn's knee injury meant that Ana was new captain, putting her screaming commands to good use.
The first 20 minutes of the game were scrappy at best, with players fumbling for the ball and not going to ground, resulting in risky off-loads that only paid off because of Brighton's lax defense. This did allow for line breaks and snappy ball switches, which Ally took advantage of as she powered through and quickly scored and Camille echoed a few minutes later by same technique.
Ball possession was mostly ours which was fortunate as our defense still needs sorting out, though better than previously. Counter and defensive rucking was on point throughout the game, which benefitted us because of a slightly indecisive ref on the rucks. When we gained the ball and (finally) began running forwards, it paid off in tries raining from us, why the score was 29-0 by half-time.
Brighton players were big, strong and fast, emphasised by their prop simply picking up Helena and running 10 metres with her and the ball. This meant that they gained two tries on us in the beginning of the second half, which really could have been prevented by more defense. We had rolling subs because of our massive squad, which meant that Emma H and Cathy had the chance to score their very first tries (see incredibly well-filmed videos below)! Paz was there as well.
Afterwards, we were all knackered after a great and entertaining game of creative (!) rugby, supporters and players alike. It was a droopy-eyed team that got on the 1.5 hour train back to Victoria, but with a big win, it's safe to say that it was worth it.
To conclude, we really should have scored more tries as our team was having a great day and could have utilised the opportunities without performing penalties or knock-ons.
Key points for improvement:
Support the ball carrier - run at least as fast as she is!
Look where you pass as you pass.
A flat defensive line really means flat. As an iron board. Or the media sec's wallet.
Run forwards when you catch the ball!

Tries: Ally (2), Camille (2), Philippa (2), Emma H (1), Cathy (1), Amy C. (1)
Conversions: Liz (2)
Opposition's Player of the Match: Ana
Forward of the Match: Amy C.
Back of the Match: Philippa (who played as wing!)
Dick of the Day: Alice (for doing the most hilarious flop drop on an opposing player that left the media sec in tears from laughing)