On Bank Holiday Monday, Darlington Mowden Park Girls competed in the National 7s Rugby Tournament at Richmond, Surrey.

The whole Bank Holiday Weekend saw 7s action from top women's sides and junior squads. As North-East Champions the Mowden girls were in with a good chance but had never played 7s before. Therefore in the weeks leading up to the competition some serious training was undertaken by the ten players selected to represent Mowden.

The ten: Abby Blackburn (captain), Jenna Breakingbury, Laura Collins, Ally Cull, Sarah Ferguson, Helen Grainge, Amber Hyde, Nicola Jackson (vice Captain), Natalie Walton, Ashleigh Wright.

Twenty Under-16 girls teams took part, including representatives from top clubs such as Harlequins and Worcester. Mowden's pool draw consisted of tough opposition from last year's winners Petersfield, Avon, Richmond, Worcester and Scorpions.

In very warm, dry conditions Mowden first took to the field against Avon and won 7-0. Mowden had made their opening mark and showed the largely southern contingent of players that northern teams are a force to be reckoned with. After a very short break Mowden faced last year's champions, Petersfield, and convincingly defeated them 12-5. Next came Richmond, confidently playing on their home ground. At first it looked as though Mowden had no answer to Richmond's speed and quick ball handling skills and by half time Mowden were losing 15-0, being punished for poor passing and indecisive moves.

However, after a stiff team talk at half time the Mowden girls came back strongly, put their mistakes behind them and excellent tries from Jenna Breakingbury and Sarah Ferguson narrowed Richmond's lead. The final score was 15-10 to Richmond.

Mowden's final and most crucial pool match was against Scorpions. Mowden had it all to play for as their pool was one of the tightest and most strongly contested. In spite of losing to Richmond, the girls were not disheartened and Mowden showed their resilience and stamina to decisively beat Scorpions 24-0.

At this point it was not certain who would go through into the quarterfinals. After a nail- biting 30 minutes it came over on the tannoy that Mowden had won their pool on a five points difference. The girls and their considerable band of travelling supporters were jubilant.

However, by this time the squad were succumbing to the hot weather and dry, dusty pitch conditions. Some players were feeling the pressure of such fast, demanding and challenging rugby and legs and muscles were beginning to ache.

Mowden met Chinnor, Oxfordshire, in the quarter-finals in what was probably one of the best and most exciting games of the whole competition. Watched by key RFUW personnel, the Mowden squad gave a fine performance using their agility, talent and team work to the best of their ability.

However, a lucky break for Chinnor resulted in Mowden losing 7-0 and being knocked out of the tournament.

Try scorers were: Abby Blackburn, Jenna Breakingbury (2), Sarah Ferguson (2), Amber Hyde, Ashleigh Wright (3). Hyde converted four tries.