110 degrees will do that to you, but Chelsea French’s opener 30 seconds in as the ladies played uphill at Ferraro shows the incredible promise of this new-ish Turbine outfit. An-Maria Avram and Jenny Lucas were standouts – ably supported by the ever reliable Mayra Andrade – and excellent new additions Adrien Theuer, Erika Hexter, Courtney Cronin. Liz worked herself practically into the ground, and Emily has found her center back mojo helping out Terra and Tenly. Tenly gets the special mention crossing the fine line between staggering composure and dicking-around-with-ball-in-your-own 18

Terrific entertainment for the lads, refs and neutrals of course. Pics by Rae Nowlin and Wesley Burton.