Wednesday, September 30, 2009

International women's rugby website launches

Scrum Queens - the first independent website dedicated to women's rugby worldwide - has been launched. Edited by former Irish Women's RFU's press officer Alison Donnelly it includes contributions from across the rugby world and will aim to cover all international women's rugby.

The growing team of writers come from all parts of the world, not just major nations such as England or the USA, but growing nations such as Singapore and Kenya as well, and will aim to cover the women's game from a independent viewpoint.

The site also makes full use of the latest internet technology with feeds on Twitter and Facebook.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Herts Women push Middlesex all the way

Middlesex 20, Hertfordshire 15 (HT: 20-0)

Hertfordshire ladies started their 2009 county rugby championship off with a combative performance away to favourites Middlesex.

Playing at Grasshoppers rugby club in London, the facilities were excellent and the pitch, though firm, was very well kept. The side were lacking some cohesion after having had only one training session prior to the game, and that with a depleted squad. However, Herts showed no lack endeavour against a strong Middlesex side that were very used to playing with one another.

In the first half, Herts started well and managed to build periods of pressure that, unfortunately, were not turned into points on the board. Simple errors cost Herts both points and possession. Middlesex capitalised on these mistakes and were able to run in 4 tries which flattered them on the scoreboard.

During the half time team talk, Captain Nadia Brannon gave a rousing team talk with coach Gareth Lewis giving the team areas to improve upon.

In the second half, Herts kept control on the ball much better and started to put Middx under pressure. Herts nearly scored after some brilliant support play, only to be stopped, illegally, just short. Captain Nadia took a quick tap penalty, span out of the attempted tackle and dived in to score a good individual effort to cap off some brilliant team play.

Perhaps sensing that Herts were back in the match and putting them under intense pressure, the Middlesex players started to drop like flies. At virtually every stoppage there were one or two Middx players down injured. This disrupted the flow of the game and Herts did well to maintain their focus. One injury was very real though and a Middx player had to go to hospital for an x-ray after one particularly crunching Herts tackle. She was accompanied by Hertfordshire winger Helena, who was suffering breathing difficulties after a crushed chest.

After this enforced break in play, Herts picked up where they had left off. Fullback replacement Megan making a good break, feeding winger Mihi who in turn offloaded to back row forward Geri in support to run in a stunning support play try.

Back in the game, Herts threw everything at Middx and were rewarded with another score from winger Mihi before the end but couldn’t quite catch up the lead they had given up in the 1st half. A Jekyll and Hyde performance in many respects, small errors giving up points but great team work, defence and attacking play, Herts can be proud of their performance and take many positives into their next game at home versus Kent.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Hampshire Girls v. Herts Girls 27th September 2009 Petersfield RFC results

Under 18:

Hampshire U18 27 Herts U18 10 (Shira Kilgannon Welwyn Tx1, Hannah Gallagher Welwyn Tx1).

Under 15:

Hampshire U15 20 Herts U15 10 (Lotte Clapp Welwyn Tx1, Sydney Gregson Letchworth Tx1).

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Herts Girls Under 18 Squad 2009-10

Following the Herts U18 Girls County Trial that took place last Sunday the Squad selected is as follows:

Courtney Arberry
Chloe Baker
Laura Barnard
Harriet Bullock
Megan Childs
Scarlett Cooper-Wall
Francis Dawson
Charlie Faloona
Alice Finn
Hannah Gallagher
Sydnie Grace
Laura Haddon
Shira Kilgallon
Sarah Lambsdon
Abi Lee
Alice LLeliot
Alice Nee
Georgia Peedle
Jess Robinson
Emily Scott
Kate Sellars
Claire Shuttler
Natalie Threlfall
Sam Voyle
Emma Wilson
Hannah Winfield

A large squad has been selected to give as many players as possible the opportunity to play at County level.


Every player will take part in at least one game / Tournament but, with a squad of this size, it will not be possible for every player to take part in every game/tournament.

On September 27th, a game against Hampshire U18s (and an equivalent Game at U15) has been arranged in place of the Sussex tournament which has been cancelled. The game will take place at Petersfield RFC. Kick-off (for both Games) is 2pm. The coaches and managers will be in contact with the squad to let them know of selection for the game and confirm the Transport plan.

The provisional plan for transportation of Players selected in both U15 and U18 Squads is a Coach from Reg’s Coaches has been booked with timings as follows:

  • 10.45: Coach to leave outside entrance to main campus Herts University Hatfield AL10 9AB.
  • @12.45: arrive at Petersfield RFC, Penns Place, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 4EP (Directions for those travelling independently- M25 then A3 southbound on entering Petersfield follow signs for the East Hampshire District Council offices, the ground is next door).
  • @4.30: Leave Petersfield.
  • @6.30: arrive back at Herts University.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Seniors confirm training and first fixture

The first women's county training session will now be on 23rd September at St Albans RFC, starting at 7pm (AL4 0HL - close to St Albans City centre, near Smallford). This will be preparation for the first county fixtures which it has been confirmed will take place on the following Sunday (27th) in Middlesex.

U15s v Hampshire, 27th September - and other U15 news

Message from Adrian, the U15 coach:

We have heard that the organisers of the Sussex Festival, planned for the 27th September, have not been able to get enough referees so have had to cancel it. Hampshire have offered a match for us against their U15s, which we have accepted. This unfortunately means we can only take an 'A' team and not a development team as well.
The following girls have been selected to represent Herts U15 girls on the 27th September:
  • Abbie Maxwell (Welwyn)
  • Chloe-Jean Carpenter (Saracens)
  • Olivia Lee (Welwyn)
  • Melissa Gargaro (Saracens)
  • Nancy Harrison (OAs)
  • Amber King (Welwyn)
  • Rachel Selwood (Welwyn)
  • Bryony Pomfret (Welwyn)
  • Lotte Clapp (Welwyn)
  • Penny Gilbert (Saracens)
  • Sidney Nurthern (Welwyn)
  • Beth Summerfield (Welwyn)
  • Kate Summerfield (Welwyn)
  • Ellie Huhrer (Welwyn)
  • Phoenix Page (Hertford)
  • Ellah Hughes (Letchworth)
  • Stevie Farrow (Welwyn)
  • Sydney Gregson (Letchworth)
Please could the above girls e-mail me to let me know whether you are available or not, so we can make any changes to the team as soon as possible.
A coach has been booked to pick us from the Sports Village at Hatfield University, I will let you know the details nearer the time.
For those girls who have not been selected on this occassion, we look forward to you coming along to the next training session in October, as you are all valuable members of the Herts U15 squad.

Peter McCullough adds...

If you have not been selected for the Herts Under 15 ‘A’ Squad on this occasion please continue to come to the County Training Afternoons scheduled throughout the Season, as I am in the process of organising Herts Under 15 ‘Development’ fixtures against other County’s ‘Development’ Teams.

I have already organised for one of these to take place in Hertfordshire on Sun 6th Dec (when the Herts Under 15 ‘A’ Team are playing in a Tournament in Nottinghamshire) against Sussex Under 15 ‘Development’ Team. Everyone coming to the Herts U15 County Training Afternoons will be given the opportunity to represent Hertfordshire in these Games (others will be organised throughout the Season).

Herts Womens and Girls Rugby Development Group Meeting Mon 21st Sept 09

The next meeting of the HWGRDG is taking place on Mon 21st Sept at Welwyn RFC in the Committee Room starting at 7.30. If you have not previously attended these meetings (usually 3 times a year) this group works together to plan Tournaments, run the County Teams, exchange Best Practice and advice, and to try and help each other develop Womens and Girls Rugby in Herts. If your club does not send a rep to the group and would like to do so please e-mail me on peter.mccullough@ntlworld.com

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Hertfordshire senior trials and fixtures

Jo Feakes from Tabard is running the Hertfordshire Women's County Team this year. This is the second season the senior county team has been running and they are looking to build on the work from last year. Head coach will be Gareth Lewis who also coached the team last year. Jo and Gareth would like to see members from all Women's Hertfordshire teams and any Girls that are now eligible to play (ie. aged 18 or more on the date of any of the games listed below).

*** Trials/Training will be held Sunday 13th September at Stevenage RFC at 1.30pm ***

Stevenage Rugby Club - SG1 4BB. Jo will publish the timings and any other details shortly.

London and South East County Tournament details also appear below. This involves three weeks of games at different venues. These dates may be subject to change due to the first games showing as 27th Sept - for many teams this had been the 1st training session. If it is kept as it is, we will discuss and arrange a training date before this.

Dates -
  • 13th Sept - Trials at Stevenage RFC
  • 27th Sept - L&SE fixtures v Middlesex and Sussex (Middlesex - TBC)
  • 14th Oct - Scheduled as Training - location TBC
  • 18th Oct - L&SE fixtures v Essex and Bucks (Hertfordshire - TBC)
  • 15th Nov - L&SE finals (one game) (Essex - TBC)
  • Further Training to be scheduled.
Please pass this information on to all members of your teams or to the relevant people- and let Jo know the days and times that you train so she can organise training sessions with the least amount of disruption.

The county are also looking to do a tour in March / April with games against Cornwall and Devon. Dates and locations for this will be confirmed. Contact Jo if you have any questions.