WELLINGTON Vixens travelled to Astley Park to take on Brixham Sirens in their last NC3 League outing of this year on Sunday, December 14 - and came away with a splendid 25-5 victory.

The Vixens travelled with just fifteen players to meet a strong Brixham side fielding a squad of twenty-one players.

From the first whistle the Vixens took the game to Brixham whose big pack defended well and initially halted the Vixens probing attacks.

It was the set piece where the Vixens began to excel; the front row of Ellie-Mae Swan, Min Beer and Helen Perry tore into their opposite numbers at scrum time, pushing them back metre by metre causing havoc.

After fifteen minutes with great attacking play, the ball worked its way to No.8 and captain Jodie Curtis-Clift who drove over wide out to score the Vixens first. The extras were missed.

The Vixens tails were up and the whole team’s defensive line rushing hard into the Brixham attacks causing errors allowing the Vixens to capitalise from Brixham’s mistakes.

With forwards and backs attacking in unison at the Brixham line the ball worked its way to openside flanker Emily Willis who raced in for the Vixens second.

The Vixens had to work hard to maintain the ascendency, the Vixens back line of Anderson, Wadham, Davey, Jenkins, Sears, Sellick and Batts were on fire.

From some great back play India Davey received the ball at pace, chipped over the defence, gathered her kick and scorched in to score the Vixens third. The extras were missed. The half time whistle blew with the score at Brixham 0, Vixens 15.

The second half commenced with Brixham emptying their bench, bringing six fresh players onto the field. This energised Brixham who after a sustained period of pressure scored a try wide out. The extras were missed.

This spurred the Vixens into life and they quickly adjusted to Brixham’s altered style of play. The Vixens all round intensity on the field was starting to tell on Brixham with the set piece strong and ball being stolen in the lineout by Min Beer and the relentless work rate in defence and attack closed Brixham down. That pressure saw No.8 Jodie Curtis-Clift drive over for her second and the Vixens fourth, securing the bonus point. The extras were missed.

After an injury to Vixens openside flanker Willis, the Vixens adjusted and played on with fourteen players.

This did not stop the intensity in defence or attack and as the Vixens made a foray into the Brixham half a well worked move saw fly half and vice-captain Zoe Wadham race in to score the Vixens’ fifth try and seal the game. The extras were missed.

At the final whistle the score stood at Brixham RFC Sirens 5, Wellington RFC Vixens 25.

The Wellington coaches said the Vixens are displaying the mentality and team spirit to play their style of rugby. The intensity they displayed from 1 to 15 was extremely impressive. They love playing for each other and the club. We have areas we need to work on over Christmas to ensure we hit 2026 in the same vein.

Player of the match award went to India Davey. Forward of the match Jodie Curtis-Clift. Back of the match Lisa Jenkins.

Hugh Barrett,