In a thrilling final round of the County games, Devon’s U18s Women travelled North to Cheltenham Tigers, to play their rivals Gloucestershire. With Devon coming into the match unbeaten in their last 11 games, expectations were high for another strong performance. Having drawn with Gloucestershire two seasons ago and secured victory last year, the stage was set for a tense showdown.
The opening half saw Gloucestershire dominate possession and territory, applying relentless pressure on the Devon defence. Their efforts paid off as they stormed into a 10-0 lead, leaving Devon with an uphill battle. Despite the pressure, Devon remained resilient and, in true fighting spirit, clawed their way back into the contest. Number 13, Ellie Campbell from Ivybridge, crossed the line first, showcasing her sharp attacking skills. Shortly after, Devonport Services’ number 8, Olivia Green, powered over for another try, gaining parity and allowing Devon to go into halftime with the scores level at 10-10.
The second half mirrored the first, with Gloucestershire piling on the pressure, but it was Devon’s backline that stole the show. Second-half rotation Phoebe Ogborne, from Okehampton, proved unstoppable, crossing the whitewash three times to complete a remarkable hat-trick, with 2 conversions from Mia Hammond. This incredible performance made her the County’s top try scorer with five tries in just two games, cementing her place as one of the seasons outstanding players.
Amongst, again, many standout performers on the day, Exmouth’s Megan Polverino was named Back of the Match for her versatility and outstanding work rate, having started at scrum-half before moving to her preferred wing in the second half. Bea Hooper, also of Exmouth, one of Devon’s Co-Captains and a dominant presence in the flanker position, earned Forward of the Match, leading from the front with determination and resilience.
Across the season, Mia Hammond from Cullompton has been instrumental in the team’s success and was awarded Back of the Season for consistently making an impact, regardless of the position she played. Meanwhile, Evelynn Prescott, also from Cullompton, claimed Forward of the Season for her dominance in the contact area and her unwavering commitment to the team’s values and goals.
This season also marks the end of an era for Devon U18s as Lead Coaches Sian Brooks and Elvet “Taff” Williams step down after coaching the squad since 2019. Their dedication and expertise have been instrumental in Devon’s continued success. The baton now passes to Jacob Hurford and Andrew Drayton, who have been part of the coaching setup since 2021 and are ready to take the team forward.
As this incredible County season comes to a close, a heartfelt thank you goes out to all the parents who have braved some of the harshest weather conditions to support the players at training and on matchdays. Their unwavering commitment has played a vital role in the team’s journey, and Devon Rugby will undoubtedly continue to thrive in the seasons ahead.
Final Score: Gloucestershire U18s 10 – 29 Devon U18s
