Chesham RUFC Women shrugged off torrential rain, biting cold and some truly miserable October conditions to record an impressive 48-0 victory over High Wycombe. What started in weather more suited to waterproofs than rugby quickly became another excellent display of commitment, physicality and teamwork from the Chesham squad. The memories of last week's shorts-and-T-shirt weather disappeared pretty quickly as both teams took to the field in what could only be described as biblical rain. Fortunately for the home supporters, the conditions did little to dampen the spirit of a Chesham side determined to continue their strong start to the season. Chesham came flying out of the blocks and immediately pinned High Wycombe back inside their own half. A strong opening ten minutes brought the breakthrough, with sustained pressure eventually leading to the first try of the afternoon. The hosts continued to dominate territory and possession and soon added a second score to establish a deserved 10-0 lead.

Despite the difficult conditions making handling and attacking rugby far more challenging, both sides remained committed to playing positive rugby. High Wycombe showed plenty of determination and repeatedly threatened the Chesham line, but time and again the home defence stood firm. Several attacks were repelled on or near the try line, creating an entertaining and fiercely contested encounter. The first half was interrupted by a serious injury to a High Wycombe player, resulting in a lengthy stoppage and a move to another pitch. Everyone at Chesham RUFC wishes her a full and speedy recovery. A huge thank you goes to Lauren, our physio, and Lou Rhys-Davis who were absolute stars throughout injury and taking charge to make sure they could provide the best care in that moment. While the result was a fantastic one for Chesham, one of the biggest positives of the day came away from the scoreboard. A huge thank you goes to Lauren, our physio, who supported both teams during some challenging moments and has been a fantastic addition to the Chesham family this season.

Once play resumed, the match continued with plenty of intensity. Chesham's forwards led from the front, with Dee Grammernos and Emily Paterson making significant metres with powerful carries. They were well supported throughout by Sam Roburn, Stacey Houston and Charlotte Byng, whose work around the park helped maintain momentum and keep High Wycombe under pressure. It quickly became clear that this was a day built for forwards. The weather made scrums, line-outs and close-quarter battles crucial, and Chesham embraced the challenge. While the backs still looked to move the ball whenever opportunities appeared, the relentless rain ensured every yard had to be earned. The second half saw much of the same. High Wycombe continued to defend bravely and refused to let heads drop, but Chesham's patience and fitness gradually began to tell. As the game opened up, the hosts started converting territory into points.

Further tries followed from Katie Darvell, Becci Andrews and Ayla Watkins, while Louise Rhys-Davies kept the scoreboard ticking with an excellent four conversions despite the testing conditions. There were also two special moments for the squad. Evelyn Robbie made her debut appearance and settled into the game superbly, showing great confidence despite the difficult conditions. Another huge positive was the return of Nikitta Wehrle following the injury that ended her previous season. Nikitta made an immediate impact and capped her comeback in perfect fashion, crossing for a try in the closing stages and earning a well-deserved cheer from teammates and supporters alike.

While the 48-0 scoreline tells the story of a dominant Chesham performance, High Wycombe deserve enormous credit for their effort throughout. Their defensive commitment and resilience ensured Chesham had to work hard for every point. For Chesham RUFC Women, however, this was another hugely encouraging afternoon. In conditions that would have tested any side, they showed heart, discipline and determination in abundance, proving that while summer may have disappeared, their excellent form certainly hasn't.

Squad: Sam Roburn, Charlotte Byng, Stacey Houston, Clare Bendall, Ayla Watkins, Becci Andrews, Emily Paterson, Dee Grammernos, Georgie Evans, Zoe Duckworth, Katie Darvell, Emily Barrett, Gee Timms, Amy Duncan, Louise Rhys-Davies, Evelyn Robbie, Millie Tillyer, Nikitta Wehrle.