Sidmouth Under-13 girls made the long journey to Bideford to play a combined Bideford and South Molton side.

Sidmouth were quickly into their stride and were far too strong for the North Devon opposition in the opening exchanges.

The combination of the experience of the likes of influential captain Ellie Monro Higgs, Abi Alner and Lottie Reed in managing to secure possession and the speed of Maisie Herbert, TT Maloney and Tilly Wain to apply the pace required to put finishes to moves, led to the side scoring three tries in the opening five minutes!

The pressure continued with Amber Spence and TT Maloney covering the field like whippets, picking up loose ball and, after 15 minutes, Sidmouth were 5-0 up and Lottie Reed and Ellie Monro Higgs were put on the bench to even things up!

However, no one had told the Sidmouth girls things were meant to be even as Abi Alner went over for another try and half-time duly arrived with Sidmouth leading 6-0.

The opposition were quickly out of the traps at the start of the second half and scored an early try.

This forced a rethink of strategy amongst the Sidmouth girls with the ball being moved from one side of the pitch to the other.

Gracie Hurson, Rosie Moore and Bella Giles made some excellent bursts into the opposition half while Immy Bagwell and Charlotte Austen Rigby also found themselves taking the ball forward against a determined opposition, but managed to break through tackles.

The second half finished 5-2 with the South Molton girls claiming back some pride, finishing well, but Sidmouth took the match honours with what was a terrific all-round performance.

Last, but certainly not least, big thanks are due to the players’ parents for driving such a long way on what, for many, would have been a day off.