Sidmouth RFC girls’ rugby festival is a big success

Sidmouth RFC girls’ section had a wonderful turnout for their festival of girls’ rugby they hosted last weekend.

Teams from Bideford, Paignton and Crediton joined the hosts to contest matches at Under-13, Under-15 and Under-18 age groups.

Just over 101 girls were involved in the action at a sunny Sidford.

In terms of the Sidmouth Under-13s, they were joined by the Bideford players to make up a side – the North Devon outfit did not have sufficient numbers in the age group to field their own team – and so a triangular competition was played.

Crediton, with a large squad of 15, had impressed in their warm-up, displaying some neat drills, but, from the first whistle, the Sidmouth team gave as good as they got!

Ellie Wood led by example, displaying excellent tackling skills, while the supreme efforts of Daisy Grove showed that, even against much larger opposition, good technique can win the day!

Ellie Munto opened the try scoring and the Bideford contingent also provided some try scorers and Sidmouth led 4-1 at half-time.

After the break, Lottie Reid put in an immense effort, breaking the Crediton line a number of times and there was some terrific support play from Jess Perry as Sidmouth sealed an 8-3 success.

Crediton and Paignton played next in a ‘game of two halves’ before Sidmouth met Paignton in the final match.

In this match Sidmouth gave debuts to Abi Hext and Lucy Moore and both performed brilliantly, especially when tackling!

Amongst other ‘new players to the game’, Gracie Hurson showed genuine pace – a couple of times she raced fully 30 metres with opposing players trailing in her wake!

Eve Converso and Abbie Alner gave great support to their team-mates and Bella Giles was always in the thick of things.

There were some powerful runs from Imogen Bagwell and Anabelle Bird as Sidmouth ended the game as 6-4 winners.

A Sidmouth coach said: “It was a great day’s rugby with some very tired, but happy girls from all over Devon.”