U13s Minxes Dominate at NLD 10's Festival

A bright sunny afternoon saw our U13 Minxes travel to the NLD 10’s festival at Newark for three games of rugby. James and the rest of the coaching team got the girls warmed up, asking for aggression, go forward and low tackles.

Game 1: Melbourne v Newark
Newark started the game one short, so Minx Maddie stepped straight up and started her first game as an U13 player for Newark; well done Maddie. Newark’s initial kick went straight into the hands of Evie, who confidently gathered the ball and charged for the try line to open the scoring. This followed with Emily and Evie doing some sterling work counter-rucking to win the ball and the pass out to Abigail sent her over for try number two. All the girls were settling into the game and confidence was starting to show across the team with some good carries from Amy, Mya, Delia and Fearn. In the second half we lent Newark Evie and Alicia, but by now the Minxes were in their flow and nothing could stop them as tries came thick and fast from Mya, Delia, Emily and Fearn - although Mya could have scored a couple more if she could learn to stop at the try line and not the dead ball line ?
Final Score: Melbourne 11 – Newark 1

Game 2: Melbourne v Kesteven/Amber Valley
When the girls stepped onto the field all the spectators said this was going to be their toughest challenge and we were not wrong. However, Kesteven were soon left chasing Evie’s heels as their kick off went too long. The free kick taken in the middle of the field coupled with Abigail and Evie in partnership set Evie off on a charge for the line. Kesteven quickly replied with a try of their own. Mya made no mistake second time around and carried the ball hard bouncing off tackles to deftly put the ball down for her second try of the day. Amy worked solidly at scrum half, while Delia put in tackle after tackle, often managing to rip the ball in the process.
Final Score: Melbourne 6 – Kesteven/Amber Valley 4

Game 3: Melbourne v Mansfield B
Mansfield are fortunate to have a large squad again at U13’s and were able to field two teams. We seemed to have the younger of the two teams in our pool as our recent intake of ex-U11s recognised some girls from last season’s U11 games. Melbourne dominated this game from start to finish and it is hard to pick out any one particular player. One team try saw about 6 or 7 Melbourne girls all involved in multiple phases of play, moving the ball quickly prior to, and in contact to maintain continuity. Our rucking practice in training was now delivering, and Alicia realised what James had been saying all last season about her leg drive in contact when she had about 3 girls hanging off her - she just kept charging for the line and scored a fabulous try.
Final Score: Melbourne 14 – Mansfield 1

Special mention to Abigail V putting on the green and gold shirt for the first time and also to our smallest player Eva who took a couple of nasty knocks and came off during the second game injured - hope you rest and recover and come back fighting soon.

What a great start to the season #GirlsinGreenandGold