WELLINGTON Vixens, fielding a 21-player squad, stormed to an 48-0 away win over Brixham Sirens in their opening rugby match of the season.

Brixham came out with some brilliant defence, but the Vixens kept applying pressure and it was India Davey who opened the scoring, powering her way through the defence and over the try line before converting her own try.

The Vixens soon struck again. Lisa Jenkins (VC) collected a Brixham kick and some effortless hands through the back line found Rachael Manley, who marked her Vixens debut in the best possible way by going over in the corner. The conversion was missed, but Wellington were beginning to find their rhythm.

The forwards continued to run hard and make ground, giving the Vixens a strong platform to attack from. The ball found Grace Tubb (VC), who managed to get a brilliant offload away in the tackle to flanker Kayleigh Wilson, who powered over for Wellington’s third try of the game. Just before the half-time whistle, some great linking play between the forwards and backs saw the ball worked down the line and into the hands of Min Beer, who finished the move under the posts. Half-time: Brixham 0–22 Wellington Vixens

Shortly after the restart, Kelly Dinning made a brilliant break before being stopped by a great Brixham tackle. The Vixens kept the ball alive, moved it wide and Courtney Sellick finished the attack by crossing the white line.

What followed was a fantastic spell of attack and defence from both sides, with Brixham continuing to make the Vixens work for every metre. Eventually, captain Gemma Batts found the breakthrough, cutting through the defence and scoring under the posts, with India Davey adding the conversion.

Not long after, Gemma Batts drew in the Brixham defence before releasing India Davey into space, who raced through for her second try of the game before converting it herself.

The Vixens weren’t finished yet. In the closing minutes, another strong spell of team play created space for hooker Ceinwyn Lock, who made a clean break through the Brixham defence and finished under the posts for Wellington’s final try of the afternoon. Max Pontin stepped up and added the extras to bring the game to a close. This was a brilliant effort from all 21 Vixens. From the forwards carrying hard and fighting for every metre to the backs moving the ball with confidence, this was a real squad performance. With players making their debuts, others returning to the pitch after months away and everyone backing each other from the first whistle to the last, there is plenty for this team to be proud of.

A huge thank you to Brixham for a competitive game and for being such welcoming hosts.

Forward of the Match: Ceinwyn Lock; Back of the Match: Captain Gemma Batts — sponsored by K. Nicholas & Sons; Players’ Player of the Match: Kayleigh Wilson — sponsored by Pestforce Wellington,

The Vixens are back in action on 4th October at Wellington Rugby Club.