WELLINGTON RFC Vixens played Trowbridge RFC ladies in their NC3 South West Central clash at the Athletic ground on Sunday. Trowbridge sit one place above the Vixens in the league and a home win for the Vixens would see them move above them into fourth.

In near perfect playing conditions under a bright sunny sky, both teams took to the field in what was billed as a must win game.

The Vixens lost the toss and had to play down the slope in the first half. From the kick both sides attacked and counter attacked.

The big Trowbridge pack of forwards put up a strong defensive display and the first twenty minutes was a very tight affair.

The deadlock was broken after a sustained period of pressure in the Trowbridge twenty-two where the Vixens forwards powered forwards allowing the ball to be fed wide finding centre India Davey break a tackle to dive over just wide of the posts. The extras were missed.

Play resumed seeing Trowbridge attacking from all areas of the pitch, the Vixens defensive line was penalised for being off side and from the penalty Trowbridge chipped through and the ensuing race for the ball saw the Trowbridge winger gather and dive over the white wash for a fine try. The extras were missed.

Minutes before half time the Vixens bounced back forwards and backs linking well, when fly half Gemma Batts received ball at pace and broke the defensive line to race in to score the Vixens second try. The extras were missed.

At the halftime whistle the score stood at Vixens 10, Trowbridge 5.

At the break the Vixens re grouped and some tactical positional player changes were made.

The second half commenced with the Vixens playing up the slope and charging up field with vigour working the ball wide at every opportunity moving the big Trowbridge pack around the field.

The intended consequence was the Vixens finding space and gaps in the Trowbridge defence, seeing winger Courtney Sellick race forward hand off her opposite number to score wide of the posts. Full back Maxime Pontin stepped up to convert a very challenging kick to add the extras.

The floodgates then opened as the Vixens tails were up, the forward pack starting to dominate the breakdowns and quick ball to be spread wide seeing Gemma Batts secure a second and a Vixens fourth try, the extras being missed.

Next to score from some fine play from the Vixens back line was Lisa Jenkins race in to touch down just wide of the posts for the Vixens fifth try. The extras were missed.

The next try was orchestrated by the forwards driving at the Trowbridge defence, releasing the Vixens backs at pace seeing Courtney Sellick race onto a fine pass to score her second and the Vixens sixth. The extras were missed.

From the restart the match had to be stopped in the 66th minute due to a serious injury to a Trowbridge player.

The final score stood at Wellington RFC Vixens 32, Trowbridge RFC 5.

Player of the game went to Gemma Batts, forward of the game to Brianna Whelan and back of the game Libby Rowlands.

The Vixens next league game is under lights against local rivals Wiveliscombe RFC ladies on Friday 28th March KO 7.30pm.