WELLINGTONRFC Vixens travelled over the Blackdown Hills to near neighbours Chard Ladies for their last league game of the season - and came away with a stylish 50-5 victory, writes Hugh Barrett.

Under clear blue skies and bright sunshine, the Vixens took to the field hoping to continue the momentum from the fine performance against Wiveliscombe in their previous game.

Chard’s big experienced side kicked off to the Vixens; the first fifteen minutes saw Chard apply a lot of pressure on the Vixens in their own twenty-two. Vixens did not buckle and some fine defence halted the large Chard forwards from crossing the visitors’ try line.

Vixens then got into their stride and worked their way up the park, going through the phases before the ball was worked wide at speed to winger Maxine Pontin who tore in to score wide out. The extras were missed.

The next Vixens try was by centre Lisa Jenkins who broke through the Chard defence to race in wide out for the Vixens second; the extras were missed.

From the restart the Vixens defence soaked up the Chard attack at every opportunity causing them to make mistakes; scrum half Natalie Anderson pounced on a loose ball and broke away delivering a beautifully weighted pass to inside centre India Davey who passed at speed to speedster Maxine Pontin for her to race in just wide of the posts for her second try and the Vixens third. Pontin added the two extra points.

From the restart Chard moved the ball up field and a fine chip over the Vixens back line saw their scrum half gather an awkward bouncing ball to feed the forwards who bundled over out wide for a try. The extras were missed.

Vixens struck back immediately with scrum half Anderson harassing her opposite number at every opportunity causing Chard errors. From the ensuing advantage play Natalie Anderson, sniping round the fringes, raced in under the posts for the Vixens’ fourth five-pointer. Pontin added the extra two points.

Just prior to halftime the Vixens defence turned over the ball to set up a platform for Anderson to pop the ball to fly half Gemma Batts who weaved her way through tackles to score under the posts. Pontin added the extra two points.

At the half time whistle the score stood at Chard 5, Vixens 31. The second half saw Chard come out the blocks fighting, applying a lot of pressure on the Vixens. Time and again the Vixens defence held strong to deny Chard crossing the Vixens line.

The Vixens were stung into action, with captain and No8 Taylor Weatherall leading from the front ,crashing over from ten metres out to score the Vixens’ sixth try. The extras were missed.

The Vixens tails were up, forwards and backs going through the phases before a nicely worked move saw the ever-threatening full back Violet Coppin tear through the centre to score under the posts for the Vixens seventh. Pontin added the extra two points.

Minutes from the final whistle Coppin added another fine try, with the extras converted by Pontin. Final score: Chard RFC ladies 5, Wellington RFC Vixens 50.

Vixens coaches commented the whole squad as a team are playing some great rugby. Attaining fourth place in such a strong league in their inaugural year is a magnificent achievement.