Diss Vixens U18's 52 - 17 Sudbury U18's

Following a week of preparations for another titanic clash between Diss and Sudbury the day dawned clear and crisp, in fact a perfect day for Rugby.

The Vixens were able to field a full side and subs and were happy in their newfound confidence, a call off because of a positive test didn’t dampen the enthusiasm as the girls wanted to get stuck in.

Then the dreaded news that half term is a different time in Suffolk, this and other events have left the visitors with 4 players. Luckily the fledgling partnership between Diss and BSE had brought 2 of their Vixens and after Diss loaning 4 players a 10s match broke out.

From the kick-off it seemed that the confusion had interrupted the girl’s thoughts and the well drilled efficient machine seemed not to start. This led to Sudbury/BSE/Diss (SBD) breaking through and a sprint to the line saw the first score of the game. But the Vixens rallied and soon got back into their stride. The rucks were contested heavily, and big tackles were being made. As it should be, the more settled team started to come out on top and delivered telling thrusts into SBD territory, from one of these Meg S was able to cut through and touchdown for the Vixen’s first try, 5-5. No conv. Then good forward drives saw the Vixens progress up the field sucking in defenders and a quick pass out from the base of a ruck, flashing hands and the ball ended with Caitlin who scorched over to dot down, 10-5, no conv. Heads high the girls went straight back from the restart. Big runs were stopped by great SBD defence and the contests were ferocious. From a loose ball, two passes and the ball is again with Caitlin, who is now getting her Mojo back, she steps back against the defence and goes over to score under the posts, 15-5, conversion 17-5. From now on there is constant pressure on the SBD line and their great defence is stopping the Vixens on the gain line. The Vixens are recycling well and continue to attack, from one of these attacks great SBD defence rips the ball from Diss hands and the ball is worked back to be kicked clear downfield. Reading the game well Bee had positioned herself perfectly and caught the ball on the full at top speed and sliced her way through the defenders to the line, 22-5, no conv. Confident in themselves the Vixens now start to try things out, backs moves are called, forwards try pods and latching, communication is good and support play is not brilliant but acceptable. From a backs move, called at the correct time, the Vixens seem to leave the SBD defence flat footed and Meg S goes around them again to score her 2nd of the day, 27-5, no conv.

Ref blows for half time. Little things to pick up on, staying on feet at the ruck and improve the support lines that’s all.

2nd half starts with a bang as SBD plough forward and put the Vixens under pressure, but stalwart defence holds them back and eventually a knock on turns the ball over. From the scrum the Diss runners open up and scythe through SBD but over complication results in confusion and this leads to an SBD penalty in front of their posts. The kick to touch doesn’t make it and is caught brilliantly by Lauren, over her shoulder arms outstretched, she turns towards the onrushing SBD and steps in side one, steps outside another and sprints for the line to score her first try for the club, 32-5, no conv. Then it happens again…………….. the thought that we can all score here and things become disjointed and untidy with players making individual runs and trying unnecessary things. A quick word from the coaches and it settles again which leads to probably the try of the game. Breaking blind Erin links with Lauren who goes forward and draws the defender before offloading again to Erin who had continued to support, Erin then goes for the line with Lauren staying in support putting the defender in 2 minds, a quick dummy and Erin goes over great try. 37-5, no conv.

From this you would have though SBD heads would have dropped but no way, they come back at us hard as big, strong runs tie up our defenders and cause spaces to appear, from one of these gaps a strong sprint to the line sees SBD score again, 37-10, conv made 37-12. From the restart a fumble, one of only a few on the day, sees SBD pounce on the ball, a quick ruck allows SBD to attack a retreating Vixens side and fast hands put through another runner for SBD to score another try, 37-17, is this a comeback? But these Vixens are made of stern stuff and they reset and resume, great attacking support play sees constant pressure on the SBD line and eventually it breaks, and Meg S cuts through to go over, 42-17, no conv. Now things are purring again, after several phases of play, coaches are happy to see that, Meg S has ball in hand and no-one between her and the try line, so she goes over for her 4th of the match. 47-17, no conv. It is all one-way traffic now as the pressure keeps SBD pinned back and with the last seconds ticking Amie swoops onto a loose ball and scampers over to touch down, 52-17, no conv. Whistle goes for full time.

Wonderful performance from all the 21 girls involved. Great weather for rugby and a great Diss performance to go alongside it. Thank to all the girls who played for another side today your efforts were magnificent and because you volunteered to do that we could have a game.

Todays vixens were Skye, Morgan, Bethany, Emma, Hannah, Amie, Erin, Meg S, Bee, Caitlin and Lauren. The Vixens we should be most proud of are Mia, Phoebe, Daniele and Meg R who played for SBD and did so with full commitment and in total spirit of the game. Poppy and Mollie from BSE who also turned out for BSE put in a shift they can be totally proud of 100% effort. And a big thank you to our friends from Sudbury, it could have been easy to call of the game but they didn’t and because of that we had a game of rugby.

PoM lots of candidates but it goes to Meg S for 4 tries and a great defensive shift too. (shame she forgot her kicking boots LOL)

Then the hunt for Gordons keys began…