U13 minxes dig deep for win

U13 Melbourne v Kesteven

A sunny afternoon saw the Melbourne Minxes a little down on numbers due to a couple of injuries, Scout camps and swimming galas. Luckily, we had invited Amber Valley down to join Kesteven so we had Freya and Millie from Amber Valley playing on Melbourne’s side so both teams could play 10-a-side.
Melbourne were dominant at the break down right from the start of the first 10 minutes as at the first ruck Evie not only cleared out and rucked over but picked up the ball and scored. Melbourne knocked the ball on at the restart so scrum to Kesteven but Abigail managed to hook the ball and after some strong running with ball in hand the ball went down the line from Evie to Mia and then to Emily to crash over for Melbourne’s second try. Try number three came from a brilliant strong carry from Amy, followed by an even better offload wide to Eleanor who went over the whitewash.
Kesteven were soon back on the receiving end of a scrum following a knock on by Melbourne and this time there was no mistake, the ball came quickly out and soon Kesteven’s main attacking threat got her hands on the ball and charged through Melbourne’s defence with no one stopping her despite a few valiant attempts. Melbourne’s past couple of weeks work on the break down was really starting to pay off as Evie’s and Alicia’s rucking soon secured the ball and Alicia was in for Melbourne’s fourth. The final try of the quarter came from Amy’s sterling work at scrum half, a role she has definitely stamped her name on already this season, as she worked tirelessly putting pressure on Kesteven’s number 9 to turn the ball over and passed a solid pass to Freya (one of Amber Valley’s players) who scored in the corner.
Q1 Melbourne Valley 5 – Kesteven Valley 1

A quick chat from a very happy James told the girls to continue the aggression and passion, and to keep doing what they were doing so well. Unfortunately the restart saw a complete opposite! Kesteven scored from the restart in what can only be a described as a lapse on concentration as we just stood and watched. So a few shouts of “where’s your aggression” got the girls switched on and Alicia ruchked the ball and won turn over, picking the ball up and carried a couple of Kesteven girls with her as she did what she does best; pumped her legs and drove for the line – try! The tackles and intensity from the next few phases of play from Abigail, Emily, Evie and Eleanor were huge. Sadly, during Q2 Evie suffered a boot to the eye whilst in a ruck and was removed from the field (ultimately to A&E) so the Minxes were down to 9, they maintained the intensity in the tackles and Abigail was there again and again making excellent tackles time after time. Kesteven were able to capitalise during Q2 and scored 2 great tries in quick succession, one from the restart and the second from a superb counter ruck.
Q2 Melbourne Valley 1- Kesteven Valley 3

So being a player down the girls had to put everything they had learnt in previous trainings to use. Kesteven’s rucking was winning turn over ball. James told them not to commit too many into a ruck if the ball was lost. So some clever play from Melbourne soon had a scrum in our favour just a few metres short of the try line. Amy looked at the Kesteven defence and spotted the overlap on the opposite side and got the ball out the back of the scrum to Eleanor who drew two defenders which allowed Mia over the line in the corner. Great work girls. Kesteven should have realised where the next scrum would be going as it came out our side and went back to Eleanor who this time was able to score on her own.
Q3 Melbourne Valley 2 - Kesteven Valley 3

The last quarter saw us down to 8 players, as we now lost Abigail to a dead leg sustained in a tackle right in the first 10 minutes but had valiantly played on through gritted teeth and tears. The minxes showed passion and determination that I don’t think we have seen this season or last. Eleanor was outstanding, Amy’s work at the scrum amazing, Fearn’s fantastic run on the right-hand side of the field but sadly ripped just short of the try line, Alicia and Emily crashing through the middle of the field driving their legs for dear life. Mia’s first game for us and she came back on from being winded knowing we were a player short and Freya and Millie working so hard you would be forgiven for not knowing they weren’t Minxes. The last minute of play saw a great phase of play between all the girls before Millie managed to weave through and dive for the line but sadly was deemed to have dropped the ball in the process and took a stinger to her shoulder so was also removed from the field. The final restart saw a great catch by Amy and then a clever off load to Eleanor allowing her to score the winning try of the game.
Q2 Melbourne Valley 2 - Kesteven Valley 2

Well done girls, this was your toughest game yet not helped by our low numbers and injuries sustained throughout the afternoon, but you will learn more from games like this and the strength you all showed when you were up against the challenge was immense. #GirlsinGreenandGold