NEWENT completed the Forest derby double over neighbours Drybrook but they had to work hard for their victory.

The side, which was christened the Green Goddesses after being formed a year ago, is one of a number of ladies' teams formed in Gloucestershire and the borders.

Drybrook brought a side with a number of new recruits but dogged and well-organised defence kept out the hosts for the entire first half and the teams went into the break level at 0-0.

It took another 10 minutes for Newent to break the deadlock with scrum-half Meg Reid touching down for the first try and points of the game but outside-half Chloe Limbrick failed to add the conversion.

Limbrick extended the lead after a quarter of an hour with Newent's second try and this time she added the two points.

The scoring was wrapped up with the last play of the game with skipper Dorrie Morley scoring Newent's third try.

She said: "The first half was pretty frustrating because we were in their half for virtually all of it but we couldn't score.

"They were well-organised in defence and very hard to break down but we knew if we kept applying the pressure the points would come."

Women's rugby is on the up in the area with Newent and Drybrook joining others such as Hartpury, Dursley, Tewkesbury and Abergavenny.

Dorrie added: "In the next year we hope to be vying for a place in the (West Midlands) league – that is the aim."