THE newly-formed Wellington RFC Vixens played their first rugby game, a friendly against Bideford Ladies from the league above them, in front of a large crowd at the Athletic Ground.

Spectators would have been impressed with the performance of the Vixens who have been training hard throughout the summer following the formation of the side with good numbers attending the sessions.

The Vixens never looked out of place and, in the first 20 minutes, they took the game to the North Devon outfit and applied a lot of pressure, keeping them in the own half for long periods.

Bideford then started to get into their stride and managed to get the ball wide to see them run in their opening try with the extras missed.

The Vixens continued to attack at every opportunity, and it was only Bideford’s well organised defence which kept them from scoring.

The visitors then went on to score two more well worked tries, one with the extras added, before the break to make the half-time score Wellington Vixens nil, Bideford Ladies 17pts.

The second half saw the Vixens play up the slope and, with a number of Vixens changes, at times they couldn’t quite find their groove. The Vixens’ defensive was stretched on a number of occasions due to the visitors prowess in attack but they repelled numerous attacks with some strong tackling all over the field.

But throughout the game the Vixens worked hard in the forwards securing ball going forward to allow the ball to spun out wide to the backs. 

As the game progressed, Bideford demonstrated why they are in a league above Wellington and as they went through some well worked phases of play, they found space wide out to run in some well worked tries.

The Vixens never gave up trying to play open and expansive rugby, but ran out of time to get on the scoreboard.

At the final whistle, the score was Wellington Vixens nil, Bideford Ladies 40 with player-of-the-match going to Zoe Wadham.

Vixens’ coaches Dom Byrne and Hugh Barrett said they were extremely impressed with the performance against such stiff opposition.

“The Vixens showed some real class and it allows us to gauge where we need to develop our play going forward.

“The whole squad of 21 players got to play and, with many having never played rugby before, thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

“All the Vixens can hold the heads high in a great game in which the scoreline didn’t reflect just how well they played.”

Wellington Vixens’ will be back in action again when they play an away game against Sherborne Ladies on Sunday, ko 2.30pm.

Hugh Barrett