The Vixens were delighted to welcome two touring teams to the Woodlands on Saturday; the Beccehamian Ladies and the Eccleshall Ladies team. Both teams arrived in good spirits and eager to enjoy a day of rugby.

Eccleshall were determined to ‘go wild in Fylde’ and had come fully prepared with face paints and animal costumes whilst the Beccehamian Ladies went for the ‘painted clown face’ option.

Three matches had been scheduled and as the touring teams had arrived eager to get started it was decided that they should play each other first.  The spectators enjoyed watching the tourists getting stuck into one another whilst the Vixens 'studied' their opposition looking for any obvious strengths (big, strong, quick, walking) or weaknesses (who's hung-over?). The tourists also took the opportunity to acquaint themselves with their surroundings, unfortunately for Eccelshall this came a bit too late as they grounded one of their tries over the dead ball line, on the try line of the training pitch.

It was a lively match; unfortunately our ace reporter was warming up at the time of this game so details are a bit sketchy, although the spectators said it was a good competitive game, with both teams putting in a very strong performance.

The Vixens played their first match against Eccleshall who took a few moments to regroup after their match against Beckenham.

For two of the Vixens this was the first game after nearly a years absence. Julie Wiseman returning after knee surgery and Lyndsey Barker (Hooker) returning after a year out of the game due to work commitments.

The Vixens started the game and the ball bounced viciously towards a gap in the massed ranks (think Dambusters with attitude and a corkscrew) and was knocked on - 1st scrum to Vixens.  The Vixens scrum half (Jammy) attempted to concentrate all the oppositions’ forwards in one place (middle of the pitch) so that our backs could exploit the acres of space either side of the scrum,- Eccleshall hadn't read our script, and were quick to react as the ball broke loose and a Vixen knocked the ball on when tackled.  Eccleshall continued to apply pressure from the ensuing scrum and drove forwards looking for an opening in the Vixens defensive line - they were eventually rewarded with a penalty - quick tap, run and the Eccleshall No.14 grounded the ball in the corner.  5-0, conversion missed.

The restart went into the air and saw the ball 'helped' into touch, nobody wanted it badly enough to put their name on it with Kat, Nana and Caven charging forward resulting in a Vixens line out. The ball was knocked on mid air by an Eccleshall player - scrum down.  The scrum led to a succession of short drives and rucks with both teams’ packs piling in on one another to deny the opposing scrum halves quick ball opportunity. Holly, Helen and Tallulah (combined weight (wet thru) of 18 stone) threw caution to the wind and pitched in –all three took on the challenge of playing out of their usual positions and comfort zones and entered into the unknown; buoyed by words of encouragement from their Captain they joined the pack and gave it their all.

Eccleshall were eventually penalised and Jammy kicked the ball into touch for a Vixens throw 5m out from the try line. Eccleshall won turnover ball from the throw/drive and broke out of their 22 - more rucks followed; Vixens were penalised for holding on to the ball on the ground, and then penalised again (another quick tap and run) for not retreating 10m before stopping the Eccleshall player dead in her tracks.  Half time 5-0.

2nd Half - Eccleshall kicked off – another grubber; ball was then knocked on, and taken over the 10 metre line, by an Eccleshall player. From the resulting scrummage Vixens’ Hayley Needes aka Danger Mouse got possession, broke through the Eccleshall line, and ran 50 metres to ground the ball near the posts. 5 - 5, our conversion went under the posts.

Eccleshall restarted- somehow the ball ended up in the Vixens 22; Tyra kicked the ball over the heads of the rapidly advancing painted horde to relieve the pressure and the resulting chase/rucking saw the ball going back and forth across the half way line before going into touch. Two further scrums and lineouts before Vixens had another opportunity to gain points, Hayley scampered up the pitch from half way, ball in hand, and was caught/flattened just short of their try line – Eccleshall were awarded a penalty - presumably for Hayley holding on to the ball and not for Hothers display of sporting prowess (she found time to ‘playfully’ hand off one of the Eccleshall backs during the chase).

A succession of rucks and mauls followed, with neither side gaining much territorial advantage when the ball did make it out to the wing, thanks to some crunching tackles by the backs (take a bow Julie); play was stopped briefly when one of the Eccleshall players was injured – she was assisted from the pitch after treatment – a scrum down and knock on took the match to full time.

Final score Vixens 5  Eccleshall 5

From the start Beccehamians drove forwards in numbers: their quick ball and good handling skills saw them progress quickly towards our try line before (Vixen) Hayley stole possession and their move broke down.

Both sides continued to fight for territory, the forwards gaining the hard yards before passing the ball wider with an occasional break out and chase down - there was little to choose between the teams until a couple of penalties gave Becchamians possession and they ran in a try near the posts. Try converted 0 - 7.  Half time.

The 2nd half saw Beckenham soaking up pressure against tiring opposition in midfield, turning over possession, and breaking through tackles to gradually increase their lead with 3 well taken tries (last one was converted).  Final score 0 -24 

All 3 teams (Vixens,Eccleshall and Beccehamians) played their matches competitively in a sporting manner; the few penalties awarded during matches were for technical infringements (several holding on too long on the ground, one offside, two crossing and two coming in at the side) rather than deliberate foul play – all handbags were left in the dressing room.  3 good advertisements for the ladies game very much appreciated by the spectators who watched the women play.

Our thanks to the officials and to all at the Club for helping to make the day the success it was and especially to the young man who refereed the last match for his college coursework, if he was put off by the painted faces and general banter on the pitch then he did an excellent job not to show it and indeed managed to stamp his authority on the game and allowed to game to flow. Surely if he can keep this rabble in order he is bound to pass with flying colours.

Vixens’ Chair Sarah Hothersall also wishes to thank all those who turn out to show their support on. She said

‘It was great to see so many supporters there on Saturday, I would like to thank them all on behalf of the Vixens as their presence really does make a difference and the team truly appreciated them being there supporting the womens’ game. I would also like to thank the touring teams, the different level of opposition was a fantastic challenge for the Vixens and not only did we raise our game but every girl should be proud as their efforts notably paid off! Roll on Sundays Cotton Cup!’

The tourists came, they played, and they partied (on and on) long after the England game finished on the big screen in the clubhouse - our appreciation to the numbers of players, coaching staff, and spectators from Eccleshall and Beccehamians who visited the Woodlands and showed so much tremendous team spirit before, during and after the matches.

The Vixens will be playing the next stages of the Cotton Cup on Sunday 7^th March at The Woodlands.