Lydney Vixon’s travelled to Walcott Wildcats for their latest fixture. The fixture had been hastily arranged due to North Bristol cancelling the planned game. The match was due to be against a combined Wildcats and Clevedon under 18’s team
On arrival we were informed that in fact there was going to be a three way tournament, with each team playing each other for one half of rugby.
The first game took place and ended with Walcott Wildcats comfortably beating Clevedon. The Vixon’s then took the field against a Clevedon side bolstered by a couple of the Wildcat’s team.
Both of the teams involved against Lydney were a step up in ability compared to the previous teams that we had played against. This initially showed, as the Vixon’s started slowly, some good passing by Clevedon led to a great break by their speedy winger who sped over to score near the touch line, the conversation was missed.
This however woke the Vixon’s up and after several powerful bursts by a number of the girls, the lively Molly Brine got over the try line, with the conversion being missed.
5 points a piece, The Vixon’s were now beginning to realise that they were more than competitive against this level of opponent, and the confidence was beginning to flow. Good passing with excellent support by Daisy Turner, resulted in her crashing over to make it 10 – 5 to the Vixon’s.
After several phases of play Lydney were awarded a penalty, Daisy Turner tapped and was off, Libby Beddis supported and made an excellent break, the forwards quickly cleared out the ruck, and Molly Bribe sniped the blindside to score, 15 points to 5. This really was an excellent team score.
Further pressure from the Vixons continued, and once again excellent off loading and support play by the forwards resulted in Casey Grindle crashing over, 20 points to 5.
Just before the final whistle Lydney fell asleep and the speedy Clevedon backs once again capitalised and scored.
Final score Lydney Vixon’s 20 Clevedon 10.
The final game of the three team competition then took place, this time against the Wildcats who were bolstered by some supporting Clevedon players.
A strange start to took place, with the Lydney coaching team, 5 mins or so into the game having to inform the referee that the Wildcats had 17 players on the pitch! Inexplicably however, a penalty was still awarded to the Wildcats and after a great defensive effort Wildcats scored and converted it making it 7 nil.
The Vixons for the remainder of the game, pressed and pressed against the Wildcats and eventually Alicia Davis crashed over near the corner, the conversion was missed.
Despite further Lydney pressure, the Wildcats hung on, and ended up winning 7 points to 5.
This was a tremendous effort by Lydney who lost three players with nasty looking injuries, they competed exceptionally well and were very unlucky not to score the winning try. The girls certainly proved they can deal with the step up in class of their opponent, there were some very mystifying decisions made against the girls but they stuck to the task, and the coaching team were extremely proud of them all.
Team
Nieve Huxstep
Holly Morgan
Lexi Trigg
Casey Grindle
Emily James
Emily Baldwin (Capt)
Daisy Turner
Ebony Pendrey
Molly Brine
Libby Beddis
Charlotte Probert
Hannah Kolic
Alicia Davis
Zea Levy
Fenn Whiteman-Smith
Sub
Taya Huxstep
Player of the matches Emily James