THERE have been some big changes in Girl’s Rugby this season. For the first time there is now an U12s category with the old U13s and U15s becoming the U14s and U16s.

Last season saw the initial work in building numbers across the County and last Sunday saw how that work has paid off, both across the County and at Crediton RFC.

Crediton, being one of the leading clubs for girls rugby in Devon, has done tremendous work to put together a squad of 14 girls being coached by Eddie Yeandle and Matt Chiverton, with Anna Yeandle moving to be the groups Team Manager.

The club was delighted to be chosen to host the first “gathering” of the season and, to highlight the growth of the girls game the event eventually had to be split across two clubs with Crediton hosting in conjunction with Kingsbridge.

A total of 51 girls attended the Kirton club’s Festival, with five other clubs joining Crediton - they were treated to a fantastic combination of development coaching and games.

With development being very much the watchword for this youngest age group the format for the afternoon was that five “stations” were created to teach the girls various elements of the game.

The girls spent 10 minutes at each of these before, a rest and rehydration. They were then divided into four teams, playing two games each to finish off the day.

The day was a huge success with other coaches said: “Eight very stoked girls after playing some proper girls rugby - massive boost in confidence for them all” and “Massive thanks to Crediton for hosting today! Have had some amazing feedback and our girls had a blast.”

Team Manager, Anna, said: “We couldn’t have been more pleased with how the day went.

“The focus was for girls to enjoy themselves and, with the help of coaches from all teams, I think that we delivered on that.

“As the girls game goes from strength to strength, it’s pleasing that Crediton can play a big part in helping the game grow.”

The plan for this age group is to continue these development days and move the venues around the County.

The next is in two weeks time at Newton Abbott RFC.

If your daughter is interested in joining, Crediton U12s train at the club at 6pm on a Thursday evening.

For more details or information, please email Anna Yeandle on [email protected] .

U14s - Exmouth (A)

Exmouth has always been a tough opposition and this match proved to be no different.

The Crediton girls played well and fought strenuously all afternoon on a relatively hard ground. There were a few bumps and scrapes as well!

The game was close and ended in the dying seconds of the game with Exmouth scoring the winning try to end the score at 30-25.

The girls wore their new kit, sponsored by GH Carpentry, and thanks to them for their support.

U16s Devonport Services/Plymstock Oaks (A)

Crediton girls arrived looking sharp in new kit, sponsored by MKH Tractor and Machinery Parts, and the 17 girls that had made themselves available for the first action of the season matched up with the 12 girls from the home squad. With some rearrangement and loan players the game commenced.

Creddy girls put in two 15-minute dominant quarters and scored six tries with two conversions.

Devonport were also very strong and put Crediton under a lot of pressure. Crediton defence gave way and let two tries through.

It was then agreed to mix all the girls up and played blues vs black and amber with 50/50 split across both sides.

The rugby was very close and a lot of new friends were made.

It’s great to be back, we had sunny weather and lots of enthusiasm and fantastic sportsmanship.

U18s - Newton Abbot/Teignmouth and Devonport (A)

U18s is the Age Group that has been most affected, numbers wise, by the changes with squad numbers across the county lower than they have been in recent years.

And this was highlighted yesterday with three teams converging on the south coast with around 10 girls each.

The coaches worked together to create a format that saw all girls get as much playing time as possible.

Crediton, with two new girls making their debut’s and four or five playing new positions, came together to produce displays of hard work, heart, talent and physical commitment.

The result of which were victories in both games and, the lending of players so that the final game could be completed after hard ground took its toll.

The U18s coach said: “Every single girl gave their best yesterday and had the scuffed knees, sweaty red faces, blisters, aches and pains to prove it.

“I could not be more proud of how they played, and their selflessness in helping the other teams complete the fixtures”,

“We had our new shirts, also sponsored by MKH Tractor and Machinery Parts, and the girls did our new sponsors proud.”