Sandal Girls Under-18s ushered in a new era in winning style but were left in no doubt that they still have a lot of work to do after completing two victories over Bishop Auckland.
The long sessions in training over the summer months paid off for Sandal in terms of their fitness, which saw them home in the end, and there were tantalising flashes of the structure they will need to achieve success in the season ahead.
For all their dropped ball and hesitance at the set-play, especially in the early stages, Sandal did grow in stature as events unfolded against game opponents who provided a good test for the Senior Beasts.
With Bishop Auckland having just 11 players to Sandal’s 22, the day was split into two matches: the first 12-a-side played over 20 minutes with Willow Moody donning a home shirt, and the second match a full 15-a-side contest over 30 minutes with a selection of Sandal girls helping make up the numbers for the Bishop Auckland ‘Barbarians.’
The hosts struggled to keep pace with Sandal in the opening stages of the first game, which the visitors set about at 100 miles per hour, often at the expense of good ball control.
The two sides were well-matched in the set piece and it needed something special to make the first breakthrough; fortunately Jess Matthew duly obliged by breaking clear on halfway and racing away before slipping the ball to Abi Ledger, who strolled over from five metre out.
Sloppy defence by Sandal allowed their rivals to level the scores with a crash-over try from a quickly-taken tap penalty, a setback that brought an immediate and positive response from the Beasts.
There seemed to be nothing on when full-back Abi Ledger took the ball 25 metres from her own line but a flash of pace took her past the first two defenders and she accelerated past the rest on the left to sweep through to the posts for a 75-metre score which Jess Matthews converted.
That proved to be the last score of the game as the second half degenerated into a scrappy affair contested in midfield, enabling Sandal to win through 12-5.
The second game was more revealing of the shape Sandal are in ahead of their first ‘proper’ game of the season at home to West Park Leeds next Sunday and a final scoreline of 33-10 hinted at what lies ahead.
The win featured a handful of outstanding individual performances, most notably from the hard-working Brooke Firth, an untiring defensive stint by Hannah Dickinson, some powerful running by props Maz Zafar and Aimee Middleton, and good all-round efforts from Chloe Billington and Megan Slater.
Bishop Auckland opened the scoring with an unconverted try before Abbie Dickinson’s explosive burst through centrefield took her over from 30 metres out for Lorna Raycraft to add the conversion.
The home team made the most of a big overlap to edge back in front with another unconverted try which saw them reach the interval leading 10-7.
Strong words from coach Andy Bevan at half-time produced the response he demanded and the second half was a one-sided affair as the Beasts took full control against tiring opponents.
A splendid try by Hannah Dickinson, who showed great conviction to hold off three would-be tacklers to smash her way to the line, set the tone and when Jess Matthews added the conversion, Sandal never looked back.
Brooke Firth was in no mood to be denied as she stepped her way through a crowd of defenders to score a try converted by Lorna Raycraft; Aimee Middleton crashed over on her debut after strong approach play by Brooke, Abbie Dickinson and Megan Slater, and Jess Matthews landed another conversion.
Jess then had the last word by putting the finish touch to a smart move she had begun herself with a deft kick over the advancing defence which was regathered by Abbie Dickinson, who turned and sent her supporting team-mate over for a well-deserved try.
Bishop Auckland U-18s 5, Sandal U-18s 12 (Tries: A Ledger 2; Con: J Matthews),
Bishop Auckland Barbarians 10, Sandal U-18s 33 (Tries: A Dickinson, H Dickinson, B Firth, A Middleton, J Matthews; Cons: J Matthews 2, L Raycraft 2)
Sandal Girls U-18s: Chloe Ray, Willow Moody, Aimee Middleton, Tahnee Holmes, Lorna Raycraft, Angel Gunn, Leah Chambers, Olivia Watson, Imy Coxon, Chloe Billington, Beth Wareham, Megan Slater, Jess Matthews, Gemma Thompson, Brooke Firth, Hannah Dickinson, Maz Zafar, Courtney Nettleton, Abi Ledger, Molly Palmer, Abbie Dickinson, Ellie Greenaway.

Referee: Darrell Holmes.