Sunday 26th of April saw our wonderful U18 Spitfires welcome Winchester for our traditional end of season graduation game — a day that always seems to arrive too soon, no matter how hard we try to slow it down.

With eleven U18 girls pulling on their shirts for the very last time in age grade rugby, the largest Spitfire graduation ever, and a sign of the growth within the girls section — and one playing her final game before carrying her rugby journey on to Hartpury College — alongside a similar number of graduates from Winchester, it was (as graduations always are) a game filled with pride and which brings a lump to the throat. The touchline knew what was coming; the players did too. It was a bittersweet, emotionally charged fixture from the first whistle to the last.

Running out onto the main pitch for the last time, adorned with green and white glitter and ribbons — and bursting through green and white smoke with some perfectly placed pyrotechnics — the graduating girls and the rest of the team left everything out there. It was fast, fearless and full of heart: a proper try fest that felt like a celebration and a goodbye all at once.

On what was a brutally hot day, the girls once again showed the grit, determination and commitment to one another that has become their watchword. There were tired legs, burning lungs and big smiles — and still they kept finding a way. Supporters, parents and carers, along with members of the Women’s team (with whom we hope many of the girls will play next year), were treated to excellent running rugby, with tries from forwards and backs alike. Fittingly, the final tries as U18 Spitfires came from graduates: Rosie White, Senia Buadromo, Rachael Jackson, Jess Simpson and Mavis Muyepa.

At the end of the game — with spirits high, bodies exhausted and emotions close to the surface — both sets of coaches thanked the players for the years of effort behind the moments we all saw on the pitch, and for the loyalty and dedication they have shown to their clubs.

Congratulations to Winchester, who took the result (27-36) this time around, and our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has stood behind these girls — this season and throughout their age grade journey over the years. Every lift home, every muddy kit bag, every side line shout, every quiet word after a tough session has helped shape them. We have no doubt they will go on to do great things in the Women’s game, and we cannot wait to see what comes next.

As the U18s look towards their final training session on the 3rd May — which will undoubtedly be another emotional day — we remind every Spitfire who is moving on that this club will always be home, and this team will always be yours:
Once A Spitfire: Always A Spitfire