Sidmouth/South Molton 10 - Kirton 50

THE scoreline, as so often in rugby, flattered Crediton.

Sidmouth/South Molton presented a strong challenge and impressed with their structure and die hard spirit. They were often only beaten by small margins.

Crediton girls came with a 24 person squad, all vying for a game vs a combined Sidmouth/South Molton squad who made 15 players combined.

With Kirton Under 15s head coach Westie reffing we were able to agree eight man scrums, and a four x 15 minute quarter game. Kirton won the toss so opted to kick off.

Crediton started at a breathless pace but were met with determined defence. The speed of Kirton’s attackers however gained 30 metres. The ruck and recycle machine started well, with fast hands the ball was delivered to the wing, and Kirton scored within a few minutes of the start.

Kirton then got the rub of the green when a couple of knock-ons were badly obscured from the ref. We played to the whistle and scored twice more. However, with free flowing reffing, the game continued at high tempo with both sides playing advantage frequently.

The first quarter was all action, when the girls came in for a drink they were buzzing.

The second quarter started with Sidmouth/South Molton receiving. Kirton defenders tackled purposefully and managed to turn them over. After some disorganised running passes, and a held up try, the backs wasted no time in skinning a couple of stunned Sidmouth/South Molton forwards and scoring a neat try.

Sidmouth/South Molton were not bowed and put together a nice move, a switch pass and then a dummy. Two power runners traded the ball before one of their second row dragged two Crediton defenders over the line with her, only to be held up by some strong Kirton forward play.

In the second half Sidmouth/South Molton presented a serious defensive challenge to Kirton.

Their structured line proved hard to penetrate.

Kirton recycled through the phases when three defenders stopped a Kirton strike runner, she twisted in the tackle as she went down, and presented the ball to an incoming prop.

With a pick-and-go the prop dodged one player and dragged in two more defenders as she kept pumping her feet and made 15 metres before eventually tumbling down. With further rucking and recycling Kirton crossed again.

Sidmouth/South Molton retaliated with a spirited attack leading to their first try. This came from a scrum and quick ball.

Despite some hard tackles by the Kirton back line, Sidmouth/South Molton expertly made space. The move was finished by a forward who received the ball on the five metre line and was unstoppable by the Crediton defence.

Kirton were able to reply quickly with strong attack runners and a well-oiled rucking machine. This was finished with a short tight spinning offload from a centre to a winger who sidestepped left, then right, then right again and blasted over.

In the set piece Sidmouth displayed their skills, neat lineout work produced quick ball.

Their scrum was tight and provided the hooker with a good platform to strike the ball. Here and at the breakdown their backline structure was well set up for attack.

Sidmouth and South Molton deserve credit for bonding so quickly to be competitive. They never let their heads drop, always creating opportunity but unfortunately not having the experience together they lacked cohesion to finish off all their plays.

Special mentions to three Kirton players who volunteered to sub in for the other team whilst they were on our bench. They do love to play these girls.

When the match was over they all wanted more. In a show of great rugby values the girls of all three sides divided themselves up and played 10 minutes each way as bibs/shirts. This ended in a draw and  there were smiles all round.

Andrew Drayton