The Girls Developing Player Programme has had a tough end to the season with their big fixture against Cornwall being called off and so many club games also being cancelled due to the weather. However, their training was all put into practice for the first, and sadly, final time against Dorset and Wiltshire last Sunday.
Two Devon squads travelled up the A303 to North Dorset RFC, set to play against D&Ws’ North and South contingents. Both games were a true testament to the exponential rate at which the talent is developing in this age group, across the South West.
Dorset and Wiltshire’s Southern team had already been heavily beaten by their Northern team mates back in January so the two games were destined to be very different. Devon’s sides were much more evenly split. This inevitably lead to a convincing win for the Devon team in green and white, over the Southerners. Whereas, Devon’s team in Green and Black, had a much tougher day at the office.
The Southern half of D&Ws fought hard against a very dominant and structured Devon side. Their defence was notable as the strike lines from the Green and Whites came in hard and fast, with most of the first half possession in the hands of the visitors. The 0-29 score line at half time highlighted Devon’s dominance. Tries from both the forwards and backs was a testament to their versatility and cohesion as a squad. By the second half, the game settled and both sides enjoyed a more balanced game.
The second game involving the Northern half of D&Ws and Devon’s Green and Blacks was, by comparison, a much closer affair. Tries went in back and forth and both sides defended and attacked extremely well. Halfway into the second half, a nasty collision led to a 10minute break in play. At this point, the home side were 3 tries up. Devon capitalised though, regrouped well and came back with all guns blazing, pulling the score back to level. The final minute loomed and either side could’ve sealed the deal, but it was Devon who clinched the all important try and finished 31-36 up.
The England Rugby DPP is not a standard County Representative set up. All Constituent Bodies in the Country have been running development programmes for U16s all season. Training makes up a substantial portion of coaching contact time so these fixtures, in the Spring, are a great opportunity for players to showcase their skills and play competitive rugby in a similar fashion to the standard format of Representative Rugby.
North Dorset’s pitches had fortunately withstood the recent rain and the games were played, rather unbelievably, in beautiful sunshine for a change! The day was a fantastic showcase of rugby for all players involved. With many of these players going on to College, Centre of Excellence and County U18s next season, the future is getting brighter every year for female rugby.
