Surrey, Home (12-19 loss)

A very rainy day for our first BUCS game of the season and an unpleasant referee surprise (!).
Right from the start of the game, the strong Surrey defense proved a greater challenge than in our previous matches. That being said, we had ball possession and were in their half through the entire first half, but could not get the ball over the try line despite multiple runs. Try line defense from Surrey was really strong, reminiscent of our own at the UCL December game last year and we really couldn't get the ball through, neither by forwards or back line, where their borderline illegal tackles sent our players off the pitch.
This definitely was a forwards game, as Surrey's defense neutralised our back line and prevented us from shipping the ball wide, often making the play stand still. Finally, a quick off-load and great run from Amy C. concluded the first half with our try, 5-0.
KCL's frustration was evident at the beginning of second half, where Surrey requested uncontested scrums, taking away one of our greatest advantages. After a line break through our inferior defense, Surrey set the score 5-7 after 5 minutes.
Another score later on made us pick up our game and we made it to their try line by forwards balls. By this point, the ref had given approximately 10-15 penalties to Surrey's appalling technique in rucking, tackling and offsides. Supporters on the sideline were shocked by the ref's and opposing coach's forgiveness as penalty after penalty meant no cards and the lack of technical direction from the latter. We made 40 metres of the pitch simply by penalty after penalty, finally resulting in two yellow cards and a try and conversion to us, though these were only given after insistence on our part. 
At the very end of the game, our team was tired, physically and mentally after circa 25 penalty runs and an exhausting ref. Another line break by Surrey meant that we had to grant them the bitter victory, powered through by their snappy full-back.
The game was scrappy and brutal and the result did not go our way due to poor refereeing and dirty play. But granted, KCL did have an off day and the blame cannot be put entirely on external circumstances as the Surrey tries could have, would have and should have been prevented.
A humbling day for KCL and a lot to work on for our away game to Brighton next week.

Tries: Amy C. (1), 1 penalty try
Conversions: Liz (1)
Opposition's Player of the Match: Liz
Forward of the Match: Philippa
Back of the Match: Helena (nom. by Claire)
Dick(s) of the Day: Emma and Emma for, despite the whistle blowing, doing a massive run towards the try line, ready to score.