MINEHEAD Barbarians Under 14 Girls made the journey to Frome to play the Walcats, a combined girls' rugby cluster team from Frome RFC, Bradford on Avon RFC, and surrounding areas.

Minehead fielded only ten players, so Walcats lent the visitors three players to make 13 a side. With no subs Minehead had to dig deep and play the whole game but they rose to the challenge.

The visitors started well, putting in some positive tackles but a strong run from Walcats put them over the line to score.The hosts broke away again and were chased down by Eliza who tackled on the line but didn’t manage to save the try.

Strong in defence Minehead put pressure on and caused a knock on. Eliza carried from eight and offloaded to Jess who made good ground. Minehead got their heads up and a fantastic link in play from Ivy to Daisy then Abbey who carried near to the try line.

Held back by Walcats’ strong defence where they turned over but unfortunately knocked it on. Eliza picked and went at eight and scored.

The second quarter started with Walcats leading 2-1. Great rucking from Poppy secured the ball from the kick off. It was unfortunately lost but Ivy quickly stole it back; it made its way to the wing where Martha picked it up and ran down the wing, Minehead made it to the try line but were held up and ripped at the line where Walcats broke away. Abbey however managed to chase them down and stopped them in their tracks.

At the other end Minehead scored a try - thanks to one of the Walcats players.

Jess quickly got up off the line and put in a great tackle, forcing a knock on. Martha and Emma put in a fantastic two man tackle on a strong runner.

Unfortunately Minehead were offside which gave Walcats a break away; Eliza again chased them down to the line and made the tackle but they scored.

Going into the third quarter Minehead were 3-2 down. Two missed tackles saw a Walcats player break for the line where Martha swept in and put in a huge tackle. However, their support player was close behind and they managed to score.

Minehead carried to the line where it was stolen from them; Daisy came in with a brilliant chop tackle where Juliana stole the ball, offloaded to Jess then to Ivy to score.

Abbey broke away and Minehead kept possession, Eliza had another great chase down and tackle attempt but Walcats scored. Minehead put a deep kick into the Walcat half followed by a massive tackle from Martha then 2 consecutive from Eliza.

Minehead went into the Last quarter having lost Eliza. who put her body on the line, being 6-3 down.

Walcats scored quickly from the kick off. Daisy put in a try saving tackle where Ivy turned it over and put it out to Martha on the wing for a brilliant run. Daisy and Martha put in a great 2 man tackle on the line but Walcats reached over to touch down.

The final score was Walcats 52 Minehead 21, with Emma converting all three tries.

This was a fantastic game of rugby and the effort the girls put it was next to none.

Contributed