Mitcham & Carshalton RUFC

🏉 Match Report – Old Alleynian Women’s Rugby vs Mitcham & Carshalton

Venue: Old Alleynian Grounds
Final Score: Old Alleynians 62 – 7 Mitcham & Carshalton

History was made on Sunday as the Mitcham & Carshalton Women took to the field for their first ever match under the Phoenix era — and what a debut it was! A day full of rugby, laughter, and pride, setting the tone perfectly for what’s to come. 💚💜💚

Things got off to a typically M&C start: a few train delays, some late arrivals, and the sort of logistical mystery only grassroots rugby can produce. But true to our spirit, we turned it into part of the fun. A few OA girls helped us through some improvised warm-ups, and before long we were ready to take the field, smiling and determined.

From the very first whistle, we made our mark. The opening exchanges saw us smashing breakdowns, tackling fiercely, and showing real intent. For a side that had never played together before, the teamwork and communication were outstanding.

By the end of the first quarter we were three tries down, but the energy never dipped. Ellie’s brilliant break up the field (complete with a mid-run realisation of “Wait, I’m still going!”) brought the sideline to life, while Molly’s bold and creative full-back positioning kept everyone guessing — including the opposition!

The second quarter saw the side really start to click. Jelly steered play with calm game management, Kiera kept the tempo sharp, and Petra laid down some thunderous tackles (including one memorable collision with Rosie that probably shook the pitch). Speaking of Rosie, she made quite the impression: first by forgetting which side we were starting on, then by more than making up for it with some brilliant tackling — including one on Tess and another on prop, Sonja, that echoed across South London.
Skipper Maja led from the front — commanding the pack, driving the line speed, and making some fantastic carries that pushed us deep into OA territory.

After half-time, the belief truly shone through. Shay kicked things off by catching and storming towards the try line in a scene straight out of Chariots of Fire — only to be thwarted at the last moment (but what a run!). The third quarter was easily our best spell of rugby all day: confident, connected, and full of heart. Molly’s perfect line between 10 and 12 and Maja’s pick-up from the scrum set up our first try, finished off beautifully by the OA scrum-half guesting with us. Jelly then redeemed herself in style, slotting an absolute stunner of a conversion.

If you only count the 50th to 55th minute, we won 7–0 — and that’s how the Phoenix will remember it!

The final quarter tested our fitness and grit. A few knocks and tired legs crept in, and OA ran in a few more late tries, but our fight and spirit never faded. Nat, rolling back the years with her adamantium spine, was immense in the scrums — bossing the opposition and cheekily keeping the ref on side throughout. A masterclass in front-row experience!

When the final whistle blew at 62–7, the scoreboard couldn’t have been less relevant. Every single M&C player left the pitch having given everything. OA were full of praise for our determination, energy, and infectious team spirit — the perfect foundation for this new chapter of our club.

After the game, we celebrated the performances that summed up the day:
🏅 Women of Steel (joint award): Ellie and Molly — both for superb runs, fearless tackles, and stepping up when it mattered most.
🐴 Donkey of the Day: Jelly — for the unforgettable knock-on and miss-kick right in front of the coach (balanced, of course, by that peach of a conversion!).

All in all, a phenomenal start to the Phoenix era. The journey has begun, and the future looks bright.