WELLINGTON Vixens put up a spirited fight before losing 27pts-5 at home to Wiveliscombe Ladies in the Women’s Community Cup.

Wiveliscombe settled quicker and started putting some strong phases of play together, finding the Vixens being trapped in their own 22 for long periods. Eventually the pressure told and Wiveliscombe capitalised on some driving play by their large forward pack to to score. The extras were missed.

In appalling conditions ball retention became very challenging but the Wiveliscombe defence held strong under pressure.

Wiveliscombe then produced some strong attacking play and tested the Vixens defence. The pressure eventually turned into points and the visitors went on to score a further three tries, one of which was converted, making the score 22 to 0 to Wiveliscombe with only minutes left before half time.

The Vixens were then spurred into action and drove up the field with forwards and backs linking up. The pressure began to show and Wiveliscombe gave away three penalties in quick succession; No 8 Taylor Wetherall-Davies and captain capitalised on one, and taking a quick tap five metres out drove over to score wide out.

The second half saw the Vixens attempting to attack at every opportunity with Wiveliscombe putting up some sterling defence. The game see sawed with neither side really getting hold of the game, before a Vixens wing forward was given a yellow card for a high tackle. Down to fourteen players the Vixens readjusted quickly and showed true grit.

With fifteen minutes to go the Vixens lost a player to injury and had no replacement and continued with thirteen players. Wiveliscombe soon exploited this and scored wide out.

The Vixens then showed true character to hold out without conceding again until the final whistle.

Vixens Player of the Match India Davey. Forward of the match Brianna Whelan and back was Natalie Anderson.

Hugh Barrett