Aylesbury Women 17 - Chesham Women 25

First game of the season done and what a way to blow the cobwebs away!

A huge thanks to Aylesbury for being such great hosts as always, and for the lovely food and cider afterwards.

It was a proper physical game from the off. Big hits, first-up contact, plenty of confrontation and a healthy dose of competitive spirit. It’s a contact sport after all!

There was plenty of tenacity, speed and physicality from both sides, with Aylesbury really putting Chesham under pressure early on.

Aylesbury came out firing and went two tries up. With home advantage behind them, they looked sharp and, at times, seemed to want it more than Chesham did.

But Chesham weren't going to let the game go.

Chesham dug in, found some shape and hit back with tries from Elysha and Stacey, going into half-time just two points down.

The second half was a different story.

A yellow card for Aylesbury gave Chesham an opportunity, and Chesham started to play much more to their strengths. The set piece came in to its own, the driving maul was reignited and suddenly the confidence and intensity were back.

Two further tries followed, and Chesham finished the afternoon with a hard-earned win.

It wasn't perfect and there are definitely things to work on, but Chesham never stopped fighting and got the job done. That's a pretty good way to start the season.

Try scorers

Stacey Houston x2, Louise Rhys - Davies, Gee Timms and Elysha Dalton

Forward of the Match

Stacey. Two tries, huge scrummaging effort and some bone crushing hits.

Back of the Match

Gee. Scrambling defence, great work rate and a cracking try.

Newbies

A massive well done to Amy and Emily, who both made their Chesham debuts. Welcome to the Stags!

And finally, credit where it's due. Aylesbury brought plenty of tenacity, physicality and pace, and made Chesham work for every inch. A very close, competitive game and exactly the sort of battle you want at the start of a season.

As always, what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch.

Well played, Aylesbury, and we'll see you again!