Thurrock T-Birds 29, Exeter University 45

THERE was plenty of encouragement, even in another Championship South defeat, for T-Birds on Sunday (1 November).

T-Birds will hope to build on a display against a very strong visiting side, which included tries from Jessica Hanna (2) Sandeman Pettaford, Milly Thurman-Newell and Toba Lawale, with Emelia Twesigye kicking two conversions.

Kathryn Scruton and Jessica Pettafor were T-Birds' players of the match.

After the match, sponsored by HDS Securities, head coach Earl Gorman said: "It was a fantastic team performance against a very well-drilled side with a squad of 22 players, while we had just 15 and at times only had 14 on the pitch.

"The girls never once gave up and they dug in, put their bodies on the line and pushed Exeter all the way.

"What pleased me most wasn't just the performance but the signs of how far we are developing as a team. The togetherness, commitment and belief are starting to show and we are building something here."