Sidmouth Under-13 girls played their first match of the season when they took on a combined Exeter Saracens/Withycombe/Newton Abbott side.

The match came after four weeks of training, during which time the team had welcomed some new players to the sport, whilst the girls who have been playing previously have been able to develop their skills.

The first quarter had a lot of the older Sidmouth players (veterans indeed!) to help boost spirits in the camp and encourage the players that were involved in a competitive rugby match for the first time.

With Ellie Munro-Higgs repeatedly ripping the ball from opposition players, it was no surprise when Lottie Reed powered over for the opening try.

Abi Alner showed her usual composure with the boot and new signing Maisie Herbert tackled everything that moved and found that, when in open space, she was an unstoppable force!

The second quarter saw some of the veterans take a breather and the new girls had to step up – something they did with aplomb.

Amber Spence, TT Maloney, Tilly Wain and Freya Pellow soon found their feet and went over to score despite it being their first season. The third quarter saw a change, though, with injuries to the opposition meaning Ellie Monro Higgs and Maisie Herbert switched sides.

The opposition were now on the front foot, scoring an early try followed by one from Ellie Monro Higgs and one from Maisie Herbert. Lending those players was begining to look like a bad decision from the coach!

The Sidmouth girls reorganized themselves with Jemima Daly doing some strong running and tackling.

The fourth quarter was a close encounter throughout, but luckily Sidmouth had strength in depth with Amy Scott and Gracie Hurson tackling and running well. Freya Pellow had to be sidelined when taken out by keen teammate Imogen Bagwell, who then made up for it by tackling anything that moved and holding the opposition up on her own try line!

Bella Giles and Ellis Ensell were held up over the opponents’ line as Sidmouth attacked again and again, before Lottie Reed finally scored in the last second.

The Sidmouth U13 girls had played for each other and had managed to score an emphatic victory over their nearest rivals. Credit must also go to the opposition for the part they played in a thoroughly enjoyable contest.