WELLINGTON Vixens were at home to league leaders Wiveliscombe Ladies in their NC3 South West Central clash last Friday evening - and pushed them all the way.

The visitors took to the field knowing they needed to win with a bonus point to secure the league title. The Vixens won the toss and opted to play up the slope.

From the kick off both sides went hammer and tongs at each other with both teams trying to attack only to see strong defences halt plays short of the try line.

After 20 minutes Wiveliscombe were first to score after a well weighted chip over the Vixens defence saw the ariel battle won by the Wiveliscombe player who raced in to score wide out. The extras were missed.

Minutes later from a sustained period of attack the Wiveliscombe forwards drove over to score their second just wide of the posts; the extras were good.

This stirred the Vixens into action and they produced some of the best attacking rugby of the season so far.

The Vixens forwards drove up the park and due to a number of penalties for high tackles by Wiveliscombe found themselves on the opposition twenty-two when the ball was worked wide to outside centre Lisa Jenkins who sped over wide out to score the Vixens’ first try. The extras were missed.

Play recommenced seeing the Vixens tails up and they attacked at every opportunity; further indiscipline from a Wiveliscombe player resulted in a yellow card and from the resulting penalty the Vixens went through a number of phases of play with the forwards setting a good platform deep in the opposition half when the ball was worked wide at speed to Maxine Pontin who raced in to score just wide of the posts and she converted her own try.

The half time whistle went seeing the score line stand at Vixens 12, Wiveliscombe 12.

The second half commenced with Wiveliscombe applying a lot of pressure on the Vixens try line, but some huge defence saw them repelled on numerous occasions.

The game became an arm wrestle centre field before a defensive mistake saw the Wiveliscombe scrum half race over wide out to score their third. The extras were missed.

The Vixens then bounced back, applying a lot of pressure on the opposition; a chip through saw full back Violet Coppin gather the ball and race in for the Vixens third. The extras were missed.

Wiveliscombe now realised they were in a game and had to dig deep to produce their last try from a sustained period of pressure in the Vixens twenty-two, they scored wide of the posts. The extras were missed. The score Vixens 17, Wiveliscombe 22.

The Vixens then attacked from their own half, the ball was worked out wide quickly to speedster Pontin. The afterburners on she raced over the try line to dot the ball down to tie the score, only for the try to be disallowed as her foot was adjudged to have been in touch.

The final whistle went, the score standing at Vixens 17, Wiveliscombe 22.

Congratulations to Wiveliscombe RFC ladies for securing the league title and promotion in what was an enthralling game of rugby.

The Vixens last league game is Saturday 5th April away to South Somerset side Chard, KO 12 noon.