The RFU ACE Girls League kicked off on Wednesday, and kicked off in some style across the five games.
The ten team league sees each side meet every other side in the league across nine matchdays, running through to the end of February before the league finals following the conclusion of the league stage.
ACE Girls League Round 1 Fixtures: Wednesday 18th September
City of Oxford College 5-43 Worthing College
Exeter College 78-7 Bishop Burton College
Loughborough College 64-12 Newman College
Oaklands College 26-15 Henley College
SGS College 14-29 Hartpury College
Hartpury College are historically the strongest side around, and therefore it is of huge credit to SGS College that one of the closest games of the round was their 29-14 defeat to the Gloucestershire side. Hartpury will be delighted to be underway with victory though, and excited to travel to Newman in a fortnight.
The other strong contest in this opening round saw Oaklands College kick off with an opening round victory as they dug deep for a 26-15 victory over Henley College, both face huge tests next time out, so Oaklands will be delighted to have a bit of momentum.
Elsewhere, there were some tough outings for a few sides, but some magnificent performances as well. Exeter College started the campaign brilliantly with a stunning 78-6 victory over Bishop Burton College, a tough one for the Yorkshire side to take, but a superb start for Exeter.
It was similar in the Midlands, where Loughborough College were utterly sensational at home against Newman College, winning 64-12. An impressive start ahead of a trip to Henley next time out.
Worthing College meanwhile were the only side other than Hartpury to win away from home, travelling to City of Oxford College and returning back to the south with a superb 43-5 victory. They have another big away trip next time, heading to Bishop Burton.
Further Fixtures
Wednesday 2nd October
Bishop Burton College v Worthing College
Newman College v Hartpury College
Oaklands College v Exeter College
SGS College v City of Oxford College
Henley College v Loughborough College
Wednesday 16th October
City of Oxford College v Exeter College
Hartpury College v Bishop Burton College
Loughborough College v Oaklands College
Henley College v SGS College
Worthing College v Newman College
Wednesday 23rd October
Bishop Burton College v Henley College
Exeter College v Worthing College
Hartpury College v City of Oxford College
Loughborough College v SGS College
Newman College v Oaklands College
Wednesday 13th November
City of Oxford College v Bishop Burton College
Henley College v Newman College
Loughborough College v Worthing College
Oaklands College v Hartpury College
SGS College v Exeter College
Wednesday 4th December
Bishop Burton College v SGS College
City of Oxford College v Oaklands College
Hartpury College v Loughborough College
Newman College v Exeter College
Worthing College v Henley College
Wednesday 15th January
Exeter College v Loughborough College
Hartpury College v Henley College
Newman College v City of Oxford College
Oaklands College v Bishop Burton College
Worthing College v SGS College
Wednesday 29th January
Exeter College v Hartpury College
Henley College v City of Oxford College
Loughborough College v Bishop Burton College
SGS College v Newman College
Worthing College v Oaklands College
Wednesday 26th February
Bishop Burton College v Newman College
City of Oxford College v Loughborough College
Hartpury College v Worthing College
Henley College v Exeter College
SGS College v Oaklands College