WELLINGTON RFC Vixens travelled to second place Sidmouth RFC ladies in the NC3 League on Sunday -and put up a spirited fight before losing 39-7..

In recent weeks the Vixens have suffered from the loss of a number of key players to injuries and absences finding many players out of position for this key game.

From the first whistle on a very heavy pitch the Vixens went through the phases taking the game to Sidmouth.

For the first fifteen minutes the game seesawed in the centre of the field, before Sidmouth attacked and broke the Vixens’ defence to score wide out; the extras were missed.

The Vixens then applied a sustained period of pressure inside the Sidmouth twenty-two, but some sterling defence saw numerous attacks thwarted, before Sidmouth were awarded a penalty kicking a fine clearance to touch.

Sidmouth then mounted a sustained attack ten metres from the Wellington try line before their No8 drove over for a try. The extras were missed.

Play hadn’t long resumed when a shoulder injury to Vixens Lisa Jenkins halted play. Jenkins left the field of play to be replaced by India Davey.

Play resumed and shortly before the half time whistle Sidmouth broke through the Vixens line and scored wide out; the extras were missed. The half time whistle went seeing Sidmouth leading 15 to 0.

The Vixens turned around playing up the slope and received the kick and from a fine set play the ball went wide at speed to Maxime Pontin who displayed her blistering pace to outstrip the defence and race 70 metres to score under the posts. Lara Grabham-White stepped up to add the extras. The score was a more respectful 15 to 7 to Sidmouth at this stage.

During a passage of outstanding defensive play by the Vixens centre India Davey sustained a blow to the head and left the field of play with a suspected concussion, reducing the Vixens to fourteen players.

The Vixens found the going tough against a very slick Sidmouth side, and it wasn’t long before they started to find gaps in the Vixens defence and ran in a number of tries.

It was during one such attack by Sidmouth, back row forward Jodie Curtis-Clift made a last-ditch tackle which saw her sustain a broken nose and having to leave the field of play, reducing the Vixens to thirteen players.

With only nine minutes to go and both sides agreeing the game was called with the final score being Sidmouth RFC Valkyries 39, Wellington RFC Vixens 7.

Vixens most valuable player award went to hooker Hayley Studley, forward of the game went to tight head prop Helen Perry. Backs of the match were full back Violet Coppin and Brianna Whelan.

Vixens coach Hugh Barrett said the Vixens have made huge strides in their first season in a strong league; they’ve done really well against some quality opposition who’ve been playing together for years. The squad are very tight and play for each other which has aided their development on the field of play. We will be back on the training paddock this week working hard on a number areas of play for next Sunday.

The Vixens are in NC3 South West Central league action away to Trowbridge RFC Ladies on Sunday, 23rd February, KO 2.30pm.

Hugh Barrett.