The scoreline might suggest otherwise, but Thamesians and their opponents from New York did more to promote Anglo-US relations than Keir Starmer and Donald Trump could manage at the White House.
Under floodlights at Twickenham RFC on Friday night, the game was played in great spirit, with Ts sportingly lending the USA University champions four different players during the course of the match: Poppy Knight, Stefania Randazzo, Charlotte McGregror and Emily Powell.
Surprise, surprise, it was EP who scored the first try for the visitors – changing sides after claiming a hat-trick for Ts in the first half.
Emelia Arbouine, who had run a half marathon the day before, got Ts off to a flying start when she caught the Bonnies’ kick-off deep in her own half and ran it back 60-yards for a Meils' special.
Twickenham graduate Hannah Jacques claimed her first hat-trick for Thamesians, while Lucy Wilson, 18, made an impressive debut on her home ground.
Forward of the match was Samantha Watts, who led the tackle count, and scored a brace of tries, as did flying wing, Amanda Neivens, while Aminah Olaniyan, Thamesians’ own American, scored her first try for the club.
That took the try tally to 12, with four of them converted by Tabby Young, who had a great game at fly-half.
A big thanks to Giles Ward for arranging Twickenham pitch, floodlights, clubhouse, showers, match officials etc at such short notice.
Thamesians: Hannah Jacques; Kia Hayman, Amanda Neivens, Lea Edwan, Poppy Knight; Tabby Young, Emelia Arbouine (Capt); Aminah Olaniyan, Stefania Randazzo, Amber Attack, Charlotte McGregror, Lucy Wilson, Penelope Procter, Courteney Ellis, Samantha Watts, Emily Powell.
