Exeter University 38, Thurrock T-Birds 10.

FOLLOWING their heavy home defeat at the hands of Old Albanians Saints, there was another sobering experience for Thurrock T-Birds on Sunday (9 November).

They made the long trek to Exeter with the words of captain Hannah ringing in their ears after she made: "A solemn promise you will not see a scoreline like that again."

Well it wasn't quite as bad at Exeter, with a late couple of tries making the journey home slightly more palatable, but after a run of upbeat performances, T-Bird know they will have to step up probably more than one gear if they are to seriously challenge at the top end of the Championship South table.

Watch the whole match:

On a day dominated by driving wind and rain, tries from Anna Woodman, Clara Grizzle-Johnson, Samatha Harris allied to Grizzle-John's conversions left T-Birds trailing heavily but late in the day two tries from Toba Lawale at least gave travelling supporters something to celebrate.

T-Birds are next in action against  North Bristol at home on Sunday, 23 November.