THE T-birds started their league campaign with an awesome show of power and speed at Richmond on Sunday, running in eight tries in a 47-7 win.

The Championship 1 South game started well for the T-birds with a well worked try within five minutes of the kick-off.

Sally Tuson got on the outside after multi-phase rugby to get the team off the mark and soon after, following some well-worked play Tuson again crashed over in the corner.

Sarah Dyche scored a third before Rebecca Edwards charged down a kick from the Richmond fly-half and dived on the ball to make it 20-0 a few minutes before half time.

The only mistake in the first-half came when the T-birds switched off in defence and the Richmond 10 dotted down for their first points of the game, with the score 20-7 at half-time.

After half-time the team continues with the same intensity and after some brilliant interchange from the forwards and backs the team created another try with Tuson going over again for her third of the game.

Not to be outdone India Harvey carved open the Richmond line as she went in for her first of the day, with Mercedes Foy and Tuson completing the try-scoring.

The players of the match were Rebecca Prosser and Fee Jordan.

The team opens their home campaign on Sunday against Saracens.

T-Birds: Hepper, Foy, Nichols, Jordan, Duffy, Baker, Edwards, Dyche, Cook, Rettie, Harvey, Stopps, Prosser, Franklin, Tuson, Mountjoy, Smith, Walsh, Radford

*The T-Birds welcome new players of any standard to their two teams.

The second XV is growing weekly and now has its own dedicated coaching and management team. Many are beginners, playing in their first season, so don’t be put off if you are new to the game.

The club promises great training and social life, with anyone encouraged to turn up on a Wednesday evening at 7.30pm.