Vixens Match Reports 2009 - 2010

Bridgnorth: Stourbridge (h);

Sunday 1st November

Dudley Kingswinford Vixens 0 Bridgnorth 48

DK Vixens had the unenviable task of trying to beat a very strong and established Brignorth side who had beaten heavily any opposition who dared to take them on. DK set their stall out very early with a high tackle from the kick off, giving away a penalty but letting Brignorth know DK were not just going to roll over. It wasn’t long though until Brignorths experience started to show. With DK pegged back in their 22 by a strong wind, BN scored their first converted try after 7mins. Any attack DK mustered then was met with good rucking and set piece work. With the wind being a major factor BN were able to clear with large kicks down the field. Constant pressure on the DK line saw some great defensive work with BN knocking on over the line after taking some big hits. This game always looked like damage limitation for DK though and sure enough BN got there 2nd converted try after 30mins after some beautiful hands by the backs. For the second week running DK then conceded a try right from the kick off after missing tackles in the middle of the park. A further try ensued after 35 minutes and another just before half time. At half time, although DK rallied, with a score line of 0-31 at half time it was difficult to see a way back.

DK started the 2nd half well and started to show a battling spirit being led by Rachael Hopton, Rachael Berry and Anneke Fice and good sensible kicking by Jenny Renton which forced BN into there 22. However the finishing quality was just not there and after unforced errors by DK handed possession to BN who went the length of the field on 44mins to score and convert. BN’s fitness was starting to tell and after conceding further penalties BN again scored and converted again after 55mins. Lou Guest made a welcome appearance back on the wing and made a difference when she came on, unfortunately a reoccurrence of the injury that has kept her out for so long saw her leave the field of play after 15mins. By now BN had really turned up the pressure, but DK never gave up and it took BN until the 68th minute to record their next and final try. Full Time DK 0 – BN 48

Altough the score may not reflect it, DK played excellently and against any other side would have come away with a win. To only concede points to a very experienced BN side was testament to their play and should feel very proud of their achievements.

Sunday 11th October

Dudley Kingswinford Vixens 0 Stourbridge Ladies 19

The game started very evenly, with both sides battling hard in midfield. Although DK’s penalty count was starting to mount up as they were marched backwards by a succession of five penalties in a row. Clever kicking by Jenny Renton and Gemma Wilkes then gave DK good position in Stours 22 and clever rucking resulted in DK being awarded a penalty on the 5metre line. In hindsight 3points may have been the option for DK, but instead they took the tap for Shell Cooper who got turned over by strong Stour defense and broke away to get good territory. It was Stours turn to have all the play and test DK’s defense, after further penalties against the home side Stour were camped in DK’s 22. Strong defensive work from Anneke Fice and clearance kicking again from flyhalf Wilkes held out the waves of Stour attacks. After 25mins it was still scoreless in the local derby. Stour had most of the possession now in open play but DK were evening things up by dominating the set pieces. Good cover tackling by new player Nat Price broke up a lot of Stours three quarter work. Dk’s set piece domination was thwarted just before half time when Stour lost a front row player and unable to provide cover the scrums went uncontested. The half finished in controversy when a Stour player hit a DK player from behind, a melee ensued resulting in Gemma Wilkes being binned fro 10mins, but strangely no action was taken against Stour player. Half time 0-0.

The second half started with DK down to ten ladies and from a resultant uncontested scrum Stours No. 8 broke and linked well with the backs. Stour found the overlap and scored out wide to give a 5-0 lead. DK refused to lie down and came back with a period of sustained pressure of there own, which resulted in Rachael Hopton just being bungled into touch with the try line beckoning. DK had most of the second half with Stour against the wind unable get out of their half. Amazingly then the Referee allowed the Stour front player taken off injured in the first half back onto the field of play returning the scrums back to competitive. This resulted in Stour starting to drive the tiring DK forwards back and was then rewarded another succession of dubious penalties marching them from their own 22 into DK’s 22! Again strong defensive work on their own line kept Stour at bay and after 65mins there was still only one score in it. However, Stour were gaining momentum and scored again in controversial fashion when a clear knock on went unnoticed, the resultant try and conversion making it 12-0. DK were visibly rattled by this along with other decisions and heads started to drop. From the kick off Stour found the gaps and through a very tired looking defense, Stour returned the kick for another good score under the posts, this duly converted to make the final score 19-0.

Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Football Club is the essence of Black Country spirit and social life.