Sidmouth U13s travelled up to Minehead for the annual Pink Day Festival, which sees teams taking part from all over the South West.

Sidmouth Herald: Sidmouth Under-13s girls who were in action at a festival in MineheadSidmouth Under-13s girls who were in action at a festival in Minehead (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth were drawn into a pool with Mendips, South Moulton and Minehead.

First up, Sidmouth took on hosts Minehead and, benefiting with the first half use of the slope, the girls took a two-one try lead into the break.

In the second half the home side used the slope to its full advantage and they ‘won’ the second half 2-1 to leave the final score 3-3.

The second match, against Mendip, was all square at the halfway stage. In the second half, playing up the slope, Sidmouth knew they had to find an extra gear.

They did just that as great covering tackles from Lottie Reed and Ellie Monro Higgs kept the opposition at bay.

Jess Perry and Abi Hext covered the middle of the park, repeatedly breaking the Mendip line.

A combination of Lucy Spiller and Harriet Austen-Rigby gave Sidmouth the space they needed to close the game out as 2-1 victors.

The last match started with already tired girls facing the uphill slope and that allowed opposition South Molton to score two unanswered tries in the first half. They might well have score more, but for some superb tackling by Ellie Wood.

For most of the second half Sidmouth continually pushed the opposition down the hill, but failed to convert their advantage until, in the dying minutes, Abi Alner kicked through for the team to chase.

The ball bounced wildly with both teams missing the first two bounces before Immy Bagwell, still at full pace, picked up the ball mid-air and dived over the line! Time then ran out on Sidmouth as they succumbed to a narrow 2-1 defeat.

There were a total of 10 Under-15, 10 Under-13 and four Under-11 girls’ teams at the festival which meant over 200 girls playing rugby on the day.

What was clear, from a Sidmouth perspective, was that all the girls enjoyed the experience, made all the more memorable when, post competition, the host club had arranged for England ladies’ rugby team full back Danielle Waterman handing out participation medals – a lovely touch – well done, Minehead!