This weekend the Giants Ladies took on their nearest rivals in the table, Hemel Stags. With the Giants low on numbers the Stags agreed to play a game of 9’s and from the first whistle the teams were evenly matched. Hemel scored first after working hard to create an overlap, but the Giants half back Lizzie Carr hit straight back with a crash ball under the post. Hemel scored next from another overlap just before the end of the first quarter. Yet again the Giants came straight back into the game from the restart with a 50 metre break from Kiersty Sims. A second try from Kiersty and a crash over the line from prop Becks Salmon made the score 16 – 20 at half time.

Captain Kirsty Fox scored first in the second half pushing the Giants further ahead. But a lapse in concentration and a drop of heads saw the Stags score three converted tries in quick succession. After re-grouping the Giants fought back and a series of strong attacking plays set up Kirsty Fox for her second try. Like a game of cat and mouse Hemel scored next shortly followed by Sol Perrin-Houdon to make the score 34 – 32. Guildford were tantalisingly close and pushed the Stags to the very last moment. The Giants dominated the last 10 minutes of the game with breaks from Sol Perrin-Houdon, Lisa McNamara and Becks Salmon. They forced a string of errors by the Stags barely allowing them to make 20 metres from their own line. Repeat sets gave the Giants several chances to score but a bout of white line fever meant the final whistle blew with the Giants left just behind on the score board.

A close game which the Giants deserved to win - the best game they have ever played both strong in attack and defence. The future looks bright for the Giants who go on to play top of the table Southampton Spitfires in the semi-final playoffs.