U13 minxes brave "Baltic" Chesterfields PUP

The U13's minxes headed to Chesterfield for a PUP on what was a deceiving cold afternoon, girls bring lots of layers even if it looks sunny !
Without their usual coaches, academy coach & Evie's dad Steve was roped in to help warm them up and coach from the side lines. The Minxes were joined by two of their friends from Long Eaton to make them up to 12 with one Minx still to join after being ill on the way up .

Game 1 was against an unknown Thornensians / Wheatley Hills and initially the minxes played and showed the better rugby, however Thorns secured the ball after the minxes lost possession on the near side wing and the opposition gassed up the wing to score. Thorn's second break away try came from a turn over after a great period of Melbourne pressure and possession deep into their half. 0-2 at half time, Steve asked the girls one thing "to commit quicker at the rucks". Unfortunately we were now a player down as Maddie had took a boot to the face so she was off the field applying ice and then Mya took a nasty tackle which stopped play for quick a while (thankfully it was just a dead leg and nothing more sinister). However, having this break in play allowed for Evie to feel well enough to start, this seemed to bolster the team and renewed their passion for scoring tries. Evie was first over, OK …...she scored short.... as she thought the cones were the try line! so this was disallowed. The Minxes soon won the ball back and a great team performance moving the ball, rucking and counter rucking saw Abigail crash over to score. The minxes were the more dominant side throughout the game and their attacking play flinging the ball from one side of the field to the other was a joy to watch. Last play was called and the minxes worked through various phases of play gradually working their way up the pitch before the try line was in sight and Delia snippered over to make it 2-2 !

Melbourne 2 - Thorns/Wheatley 2

Game 2 was against a BaaBaa's side made up of predominantly Sheffield Swans, with some Chesterfield & Matlock girls making their team up.
Having had a little break while Thorns played the BaaBaa's, the girls enjoyed hot chocolate and were encouraged to keep warm.
Steve played a little warm up game with them, playing touch but conditioned it so that the 1st player had to ruck over quickly, this was highlighted as being missing from the first game.

From kick off the minxes dominated and played and ran some beautiful lines of rugby.
Points to mention, Eleanor & Kezia strong carries up the centre of the pitch, Maddie great powerful run before popping the ball prior to contact, Alicia powerful leg drive with a couple of players hanging off her, Emily great awareness passing the ball wide to the wing allowing Ruby from Long Eaton to score (I overheard her team mate saying was that her first try ever and it was) , Evie great leadership on the field organising the defence line and supporting and offering advice to the Long Eaton girls, Eva jinxing and weaving through players, Delia & Abigail in most rucks causing chaos, Abigail and Fearn offering options in support.

Try scorers: Evie x 4 Eleanor x 1 Emily x 2 Ruby x 1

Melon of the match - Eva and the pendant !
Girl of the game awarded by the Long Eaton coach for her leadership on the field - Evie