WIVELISCOMBE Ladies kicked off their 26/27 league campaign with a hard-fought 27-20 defeat away to familiar opposition North Dorset.

The home team started brightly and Wiveliscombe struggled to organise their defence and deal with their strong ball carriers early on. There were some great moments from both teams but the home side were the only team with something to show for it heading into half time 27-0 up - thanks to five tries and one successful conversion.

Wiveliscombe came out firing in the second half with much improved defence and some great passages of attacking play. The visitors soon found their breakthrough as centre Sophie Pratt crashed over the line and winger Aimee Tucker added a further try in the corner.

The scrummaging from Wiveliscombe’s pack was the highlight of the second half, dominating North Dorset in the scrum and turning over possession on multiple occasions. The forwards got their reward with number eight Amy Jenkins finishing off a driving maul.

The momentum was very much with the visitors in the second second half but North Dorset were keeping it incredibly competitive, making Wiveliscombe work hard to maintain.

Wiveliscombe also had to be alert to the home side’s kicking threat; full back Eva Sully managed the field exceptionally well and made multiple try-saving tackles.

After some great work from Wiveliscombe’s pack making the hard yards in the last play of the game, some great handling from the backs got the ball out wide for Aimee Tucker to dot down her second of the match; the extras were missed.