Whilst the weather was relatively warm and the pitch was good underfoot, the fierce wind made the playing conditions a challenge – especially as the Vixens were under-strength this week, with several girls missing. Bury were only able to field 14 players, meaning they were unable to gain a bonus point for fielding a full 15 girls. However, as the home side were able to lend the Vixens a player, this enabled both sides to play with 15 a side.
With the home side winning an important toss and playing with the wind behind them, they soon scored the first 2 tries of the match. Bury responded well and soon opened their account with a try themselves following a fine run by Alice, resulting in a great pick and go try by Frances on the wing.
Braintree rallied well and continued to exert pressure on the away team, showing good handling and maintaining the majority of possession by being quickly into any breakdowns. Despite Bury showing good drifting in defence across the pitch at times, with solid tackling by both Sophie A’s in particular, Braintree finished on top of the first half with the score at 37-5.
At the turnaround, Bury started well with Esme deputising for Frances at scrum-half, the away side showed some good passing and handling, taking the game to the opposition with territory in their 22, but again the home side were quicker into any rucks to turn over possession. Despite Harriet - as always - showing great courage in her tackling once again, Braintree broke the second half deadlock to score the first try of the half, after a total of 50 minutes play.
The Vixens tried using the windy conditions to their benefit and turn the tide by kicking into the opposition’s 22. This nearly unlocked the Braintree defence, resulting in the home side giving away several penalties, but the Vixens were unable to capitalize on these. Sophie R halted a Braintree counter, ripping the ball with determination, turning over the ball to Bury admirably. Additionally, the impressive Kaitlyn showed great stamina and commitment with an excellent tackle on the half-way line, but possession was becoming harder to maintain with fatigue starting to take its toll on the remaining 13 Bury girls, as the home side were able to rotate their players to bring on fresh legs.
Braintree took the game away in the closing stages, to close the match out 69-5, but the Vixens once again demonstrated their wholehearted commitment until the final whistle, never dropping their heads and showing their unwavering never-say-die spirit, which will stand them in good stead as the season progresses.

Braintree’s POTM – No.12 (voted by Bury).
Bury Vixen’s POTM – Kaitlyn (voted by Braintree).