WELLINGTON RFC Vixens commenced their league season with a trip to Teignmouth RFC Ladies on Sunday where they came away with a fine 22-0 victory.

The Vixens took to the field in bright sunshine and perfect conditions for running rugby. From the first whistle both sides locked horns and Teignmouth attacked hard but the Vixens’ defence proved to be their strength as time and again Teignmouth attacks were halted and errors were made turning the ball over to the Vixens.

On fifteen minutes the ball was worked wide by Vixens at speed along the back line and with No. 8 and captain Taylor Wetherall-Davies in support, she received the ball and made a blistering run, breaking a number of tackles to score wide out. The extras were missed.

The Vixens then started applying pressure on Teignmouth and from some great driving play by the forwards No. 8 Wetherall-Davies barrelled over from ten metres out to score her second try.

The Vixens’ defensive pressure produced a number of mistakes by Teignmouth which provided more ball for the Vixens to attack with. One such passage of play, a few metres from the Teignmouth line, saw the seasiders fumble the ball and Vixens’ scrum half Natalie Anderson, in terrier style fashion, pounced on the ball to score just wide of the posts. The extra two points were kicked by India Davey. At the half time whistle the score stood at 17 to 0 to the Vixens.

The half time talk energised the Vixens, playing up the slope and within minutes of the second half commencing, the forwards and backs attacking in unison got within metres of the Teignmouth try line when scrum half Anderson sniped around the fringes of a ruck to dart in wide out to score her second try. The extras were missed.

Teignmouth never gave up and attempted to attack where ever they could and the Vixens had to dig deep in defence to halt them. The game then became very attritional and due to the Vixens’ strong defence was halted for a number of injuries. This had the effect of taking the momentum out of the Vixens game plan and the match became a messy affair, with the Vixens camped in the Teignmouth half, but unable to capitalise on any advantage gained.

The final whistle went with the score being Teignmouth RFC ladies 0, Vixens 22. The Vixens coaches noted that Teignmouth were good opposition and gave the Vixens a big test, but the Vixens’ defence won the day, providing more opportunities for them to go through their phases of attack.

This week at training will be working further on a number of areas they need to develop, but it was a great win on the road, particularly not conceding any points. Vixens thank Teignmouth for displaying all the great values of the game on the pitch, being superb hosts and look forward to giving them reciprocal hospitality at the Athletic ground in the New Year. Vixens’ player of game was scrum half Natalie Anderson, forward of the match was second row Helen Perry and back of the game outside centre Lisa Jenkins.

The Vixens are next in league action this coming Sunday, 12th October, at home to Exmouth Ladies, KO 2.30pm. Please come down and cheer on the Vixens, bar open from 1pm.

Hugh Barrett.