Kingsbridge Girls U13s, U15s and U18s had a fantastic training session on Friday night as ex-Kingsbridge player Jack Howden, current Bath community rugby coach, and his partner Izzy Noel-Smith, England and Bristol ladies flanker, visited the club to give the girls an expert coaching session.

The girls benefited from their professional tuition, learning about the breakdown and handling and evasion skills in two separate training sessions taken by them both.

They also enjoyed the opportunity to quiz Izzy about her pride in playing for England and gaining a professional contract.

Girls and coaches would like to say thank you to Izzy and Jack for giving up their time, everyone benefited and throughly enjoyed the night.

Thanks also go to Alison Seldon for arranging Jack and Izzy’s visit.

The club presented Izzy with a KRFC hoodie as a thank you, with all at the club hoping she wears it with as much pride as her England shirt! Izzy was also kind enough to donate one of her England match shirts to the club.

The U13s are hoping to see Izzy play when they visit Twickenham on November 26 to watch England Roses play Canada.

Girls rugby is going from strength to strength at KRFC and the club is fortunate enough to now have three age groups training and playing regular fixtures.

The U15s and U18s both have players se­lected to represent Devon, Maddison Lidstone, Ruth Tucker, Abi Jarvis and Olivia Churcher in the U15s and Olivia Squire, Maddy Robinson and Mila Lynch in the U18s age group.

The U13s girls have seen a massive increase in numbers this season, with more than 25 girls now registered. The U15s and U18s would still like more players to join their teams.

If you are interested in starting rugby please contact Simon Pratt by email on [email protected] (U18s) or Michelle Jarvis on [email protected] (U15s) about joining.

The girls train at KRFC on a Friday night 7.30-8.30pm.

Devonport Services U15s 19,

Kingsbridge U15s 27

Due to half term and injury, Kingsbridge returned to Devonport with just 15 men but the strength and depth of the Kingsbridge squad was apparent as quite a few players played out of their usual position.

It didn’t take Kings long to create the space, with Fynn turning over ball, allowing Marcel to kick through and run in the first try.

Kings maintained pressure as Devon­port’s attacking line drove forward.

Strong tackling and solid rucking kept them at bay and from a loose ball out of the ruck, Marcel made another charge with good support from Tom and Rory, but they were stopped short of the line.

It was Services turn to pierce the gaps in King’s defence but Ivor covered the pitch to tackle the man into touch before the damage was done.

Ivor chased down the clearance kick and maintained possession and it was Alex who picked up the loose ball, taking Kings back into the 22.

There was no mercy from Kings as a ruck was formed from Ser­vices’ clearance when Adam seized the op­portunity to take the opposition by surprise and run through a hole in defence to score.

More robust constant tackling from the Kings team kept up the pressure on a determined Services, but they were able to score from a scrum in Kings’ 22 by bash their way over the line.

From a Services’ line-out, a ruck formed and Kings once again turned over ball, giving Tom the chance to zig zag through and convert his own try.

Rory showed pace and strength on the wing, as did Oz, both being a welcome addition to the squad as they assisted Adam in another strong run and a try. Moj was a constant threat, causing numerous spilled ball with his tackles.

With time nearly up Kings brought a well-worked training ground move to the game, off the back of the scrum, with an inside pass to Tom and along the line for Mar­cel to run in the last try.

For a game where Kings were not awarded a single penalty they showed great resolve.

Devonport Services U13s 0,

Kingsbridge U13s 70

British Summer Time may have finished overnight, but no one told the weather as the sun shone strong and warm on the lush playing fields of Devonport.

While the watching parents topped up their tans, the Kings took to the field, keen to make amends for the nail-biting defeat to Ivybridge the week before.

With both teams fielding strong squads, the game was expected to be tight, and that was how it started for the first five minutes, until Zak broke the deadlock with a fine individual effort following a Kings turnover.

Buoyed by the opening score, the Kings pushed on, scoring a second via Max following a perfectly timed offload from Zak.

The Kings were now well on top, and as hard as the home team fought, they were no match for the well organised and determined visitors.

Joe T was awesome up front, making some surging carries, supported in the backs by Noah, Domi and Max who operated in the back three to great effect.

When Devonport changed their game plan and went to their bulky forwards to carry the ball, they still found no way through against the warriors from Kingsbridge.

As half time approached, further tries followed for Callum and Joe R, leading to a 30-0 score to the Kings at the break.

The second half followed the same pattern, with the Kings in the ascendancy but still having to defend against the determined Services team.

Noah made a number of huge try-saving tackles, while Josh and Adam were creating havoc in the opposition defensive line.

Adam deservedly scored two tries for what was a great performance from him, and similarly, Josh crossed the line once to get his reward for a strong afternoon.

Despite losing Oliver to an early injury, the Kings were able to go to the bench for support, welcoming Char­lie and Toby back to the squad.

As the half wore on, Devonport found new energy and put the Kings under intense pressure for five minutes, camped on the Kings’ line.

An outstanding defensive effort, led by Louis, screaming Braveheart style, meant that the line would not be breached, and the home side would come away empty-handed.

More tries followed for Callum and Zak, and despite the wide margin in the scoreline, both teams concluded the game in a competitive and fair manner.

This was a great bounce-back from the Kings and a hugely deserved victory.

On­wards now to the mighty Torquay, always a tough proposition.