Divisional CB Festivals Postponed

We have received the following from the RFU:
"Due to the inclement weather across the country a decision has been taken to postpone all Divisional CB festivals this weekend for both the Junior and Senior programmes. We are very disappointed to have to make this decision but a number of the venues are currently waterlogged, there are over 200 flood warnings across the country and travel warnings have been issued. We do not wish to put any player at risk through unnecessary travel. We felt it was important to make an early decision to keep any inconvenience to a minimum and to an ensure a consistent message was given to everyone.

We will look at the possibility of further CB activity after Christmas depending on local and national need and will be in come back to you on this in the New Year. Please feel free to contact your WRDO if you have any thoughts on this."

The Herts county training session due to be held at Welwyn RFC on Wednesday 28 November has also been cancelled - though the U15s training may still go ahead if the pitches are suitable..

The coaches would like to thank the players and parents for their support at the two matches we have played, and the training sessions.

Herts Ladies County Trials

Date: Sunday 30th September meet at 2pm, trials end 4pm
Venue: Tabard RFC Cobden Hill, Radlett WD7 7JN

Eligibility criteria:1. 18years or over, no upper age limit.
2.A trialist needs to either live in, or play rugby in, or have been born in, Herts.
3.A trialist must not have been awarded a full international cap for another country within the last 3 years.

We are hoping to arrange  a warm up match (venue TBC) on Friday October 19th under floodlights against Buckinghamshire Ladies county team.

The county fixtures are:1. 4th November away to Essex
2.18th November at home against Kent. venue will be OA's and the U15's and U18's will be playing the same day, so a wonderful day of female rugby!
3.a Festival on either 1st or 2nd December- details TBC.

Training will take place the Friday evening before each match.(excluding the warm up match.)

Your coaches will be Nat Granger and just waiting on confirmation of a fowards coach.

You do need to Register your intention to trial before Monday 24th September.
Please e-mail me, Amanda Bate, Team Manager the following essential details.
1.Name
2.Address
3. mobile number
4.date of birth
5.County of birth if you do not live in  or play rugby in Herts
6.Club you play for.
7. please give your 2 most preferred positions you would like to play in.

Any questions, do please ask.

Herts Girls U15 County Training Afternoon Sun 22nd January Welwyn RFC 1.30pm

The county coaches were really pleased with the way all the U15 squad improved both individually and as a team over the county season and want to help players continue that development. They also want to begin to identify Year 9 players with the potential to play for the county next season.

They will be holding a county training session on Sunday 22 January at Welwyn RFC, Hobbs Way, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6HX from 1.30pm - 3.30pm. They are also intending to hold a second training session on Sunday 12 February, and to try to arrange at least one match for this "Herts Baa Baas" team on one or more of the other divisional dates (19 Feb, 25 March, 1 April).

All girls in year 9 or 10 (or those in year 8 with dispensation) are encouraged to attend this session, regardless of experience or ability.

If you haven't already filled in a Herts Girls Permission Form 2011-12 then please complete the form (see right) and bring it on the day. If you attended the county trials we will already have one for you.

On 12 February, we hope to run an U13s training alongside the U15s. If any coaches would be willing to help with the U13s, or if any club would like to host on 12 February, please let me know.

Could coaches let me have a list of girls intending to attend the afternoon in advance to help with planning, though girls who just turn up on the day will still be allowed to take part.

Colin Summerfield
Herts Girls U15s manager
ca.summerfield@btinternet.com

County festival: the full results

London & South East County Festival


U18s
Pool 1
Surrey 19 Kent 7
Sussex 0 Kent 12
Surrey 24 Sussex 0


Pool 2
Hampshire  0 Hertfordshire 24
Essex   0 Hertfordshire 27
Hampshire  12 Essex   12

Play-offs

5th/6th: Sussex 0 Essex 19

3rd/4th: Kent 3 Hampshire 0

1st/2nd: Surrey 0 Hertfordshire 10

U15s
Pool 1
Surrey 0 Kent 17
Sussex 5 Kent 5
Surrey 5 Sussex 7


Pool 2
Hampshire  5 Hertfordshire 10
Essex   0 Hertfordshire 34
Hampshire  20 Essex   0

Play-offs

5th/6th: Surrey 30 Essex 0

3rd/4th: Sussex 12 Hampshire 7

1st/2nd: Kent 10 Hertfordshire 7

For the results from all other Divisional festivals see the Letchworth blog.

Herts U15s: L&SE County festival report

Hertfordshire U15 Girls were runners up in the inaugural London and South East Division county rugby festival on Sunday, narrowly losing out to Kent in the final.

The first match in the pool round brought a 10 – 5 victory over Hampshire. In the opening minute the ball was moved quickly across the backs for wing Hannah Botterman to score in the corner. It was 5 – 0 at half time with Herts dominating the first half. Early in the second half Hampshire broke through with a long run to score. In the final play of the match scrum half Rosie Kay scored to give the Herts girls a nail-biting win.

The second match was a comprehensive 34 – 0 victory against Essex. Full back Katy Walker completed a hat trick, wing Beth Summerfield scored twice and fly half Zoe Harrison added a try and two conversions.

The final was delayed to 3.30pm, by which time the sun was beginning to set and the mist was beginning to crawl across the pitch. The girls were cold but gave their all in a hard, physical match against Kent which resulted in several injuries on both sides. In the first half Floss Jones had to come off after being barged in the face, and Hannah Botterman was sidelined with an ankle injury.

Play was frenetic and it was hard to discern much in the way of shape or pattern. Kent won much of the ball on the ground but the Herts girls' tackling in defence was ferocious. So even though Kent had more ball in hand, they couldn't do much with it. Kent scored first, in the dying minute of the first half, to take the score to 7 – 0 at half time.  Herts evened the score eight minutes into the second half through a Zoe Harrison try, after winning a 5m scrum, which she then converted.

Two minutes from the end Kent elected to kick a penalty. It rattled around the posts and in the gloom the spectators on both sides were divided as to whether it had gone over. The man that mattered, the referee, decided it had. In the confusion Herts ran back to take a quick restart but were tackled by a Kent player – who presumably was equally confused. The 12-minute halves were too short for Herts to come back, though they kept fighting to the end. Final score was 10 – 7 to Kent in a close, feisty match which was a huge progression from the Herts girls' first match against the same opposition a month earlier. Herts gave Kent an almighty shock and a run for their money.

Afterwards coach Gareth Bowser said, “All the coaches were immensely proud of the girls. Each and every one of them did all we asked, and more. It was a fantastic team performance.

“We’d also like to thank sponsors ExL Driving School for providing the girls with Herts RFU polo shirts to wear after the match.”

Team: Harriet Austin, Fran Bannon, Louise Baxter, Sarah Blissett, Hannah Botterman, Katy Cook, Lucy Corrigan, Hayley Everett, Leanne Green, Zoe Harrison, Rosie Kay, Floss Jones, Aine McMahon, Emily Marsh, Ellena Perry, Kayleigh Read, Ella Sim, Megan Smith, Beth Summerfield, Kate Summerfield, Katy Walker.

Herts U18s win London & SE title

Herts became inaugural London & SE Division Girls U18 County Champions today after beating:

• Hampshire 25-0. 
• Essex 34-0. 
• Surrey 10-0 in the Final (gaining revenge for the defeat to Surrey U18 in the friendly game earlier in the season).

Herts U15s also reached their final, but lost in a tight game 10-7 to Kent.

More details when we get them.

Herts juniors draw Hants and Essex in Festival

Middlesex will join Eastern Counties on the sidelines for the London & South East Division county festival this weekend, leaving just six teams playing for the Divisional title. Hertfordshire have also had a good draw - avoiding all of the unbeaten counties (Surrey and Sussex in the U18s, and Sussex and Kent in the U15s).

Hertfordshire's fixtures will be:

11.00 v Hampshire (U15s and U18s)
12.00 v Essex (U15s and U18s)
14.15 5th/6th and 3rd/4th place play-offs
14.45 Finals

U15 games will be 12 minutes each way, and U18 games 15 minutes each way.

The County Festivals are a key stepping stone to the Divisional squads, and from there the TDGs and ultimately (for U18s) England U20 squad.

Herts U15 v Surrey: match report

The second match of the county rugby season saw Hertfordshire U15 Girls score an emphatic 45-15 win against Surrey at a windy Old Albanians.

In a tightly fought first half, Hertfordshire scored first with a try by fly half Zoe Harrison. Surrey responded with three tries in succession – two by their captain Sarah Bern, and one from Eleanor Boatman. At this point the game seemed to be echoing the previous match against Kent but this time there was a greater cohesion, profiting from the additional training and match time together. Five minutes before half time Katy Walker evaded a couple of tackles to score under the post for Hertfordshire. This was converted by Zoe to take the score to 12 – 15 at half time.

With the wind at their backs for the second half, Hertfordshire made good use of Zoe’s excellent kicking game to stamp their authority. As the match went on Hertfordshire’s strength in depth also began to show as Surrey’s couple of outstanding players found it hard to sustain their high work rate of the first half.

Hertfordshire ran in five more tries in the second half with two more from Zoe, two from Hannah Botterman and one from Katy Cook. Zoe continued to demonstrate her superb kicking skills with four conversions, at least two of which were straight out of the top drawer.

Coach Gareth Bowser was pleased with the team’s performance. He commented, “It’s great when you see things we have worked on at training being transferred to a match. The girls have worked hard and deserved their win today.”

Team: Fran Bannon, Louise Baxter, Sarah Blissett, Hannah Botterman, Katy Cook, Lucy Corrigan, Hayley Everett, Leanne Green, Zoe Harrison, Floss Jones, Aine McMahon, Emily Marsh, Ellena Perry, Kayleigh Read, Ella Sim, Megan Smith, Beth Summerfield, Kate Summerfield, Katy Walker.

Carol Summerfield

Hertfordshire win two from three against Surrey

There was a complete turn around in results for the three county teams last weekend in the second round of county fixtures, played at Old Albanians.

The seniors beat Surrey 22-15, having lost their opening game, and the U15s also put in an impressive performance to beat the same opponents - normally one of the strongest at junior level - 45-15. However, the U18s - the only team to win in Kent last time out - were outclassed by Surrey, losing by 40-5.

The U15s and U18s now prepare for the Divisional Festival at Beckenham on 20th November, while the seniors travel to Eastern Counties on 4th December.

All other county results can be found here.

County dates for your diary

Some important dates for the start of the new season

• The next HWGRDG meeting is taking place at Welwyn RFC starting at 7.30, is now on Mon 5th September not Mon 12th September, as 12th Sept is the date of the County Club Meeting at Welwyn RFC, to allow participants to attend both meetings if they need to. An agenda for the next HWGRDG meeting will be issued beforehand, but if there is anything specific that you would like included then please e-mail Peter McCullough.
• The Herts Girls County Trial is taking place at Welwyn RFC starting at 1.00, is now on Sun 18th September not Sun 25th September, which means that there will now a training session for those selected at the Trial on Sun 25th September (venue tbc). This is to enable a Herts Girls County Training session to take place between the Trial and the first Girls County Games on Sun 16th October away against Kent, which the published RFUW fixture schedule hasn’t made provision for.
• On Sun 6th November Herts County Girls are at Home against Surrey County Girls. These games will provisionally take place at Old Albanians RFC, but will be confirmed by the next HWGRDG meeting. Herts and Surrey are arguably the two strongest Girls Rugby Counties in England, so these games will be of the highest level, and a big crowd is expected.

"About Herts" girls' rugby special

The latest edition of "About Herts" - the quarterly county rugby newsletter - features a massive five page section devoted to the success of girls' and women's rugby in the county. Much of it has appeared on this blog, but there are previously unpublished match reports from the first round of county games, plus other articles about the success of the game in the county.

All clubs will have been sent copies, but an PDF can be downloaded from here.

New team manager for adult county team

Message from Charlie White:

I just wanted to introduce myself. Next season i will be talking on Jo's old role as the Hert's Womens Rugby Team manager.


I know we have talented players who are currently playing in many of the women's team across Hertfordshire, this season i want to give the Hertfordshire Women's team all the support they need to compete at a decent level and show the other counties all the talent we have.


The first thing i am doing is looking for commitment coaches and setting up the date and venue for the County Trials.


As i'm new to this role any help is more than appreciated.


Hope to hear from you all soon


Thanks


Charlie

East Region Girls Trial 31st January

After the recent Regional Trial, the following Hertfordshire County Girls have been selected for East Region this Season:

Under 18

Courtney Arberry
Chloe Baker
Harriet Bullock
Scarlett Cooper-Wall
Francis Dawson
Charlie Faloona
Alice Finn
Shira Kilgallon
Alice Nee
Georgia Peedle
Jess Robinson
Emily Scott
Claire Shutler
Sam Voyle


Under 15

CJ Carpenter
Lotte Clapp
Stevie Farrow
Melissa Gargaro
Penny Gilbert
Sydney Gregson
Nancy Harrison
Ellie Hurer
Amber King
Abbie Maxwell
Sidney Nurthen
Bryony Pomfret

Herts Girls Newsletter issued

A newsletter has been issued. Articles include the county girls team triumph in the NLD tournament, the Herts U15 league, the development of girls' rugby in the county's schools, and the new Royston girls team.

Click here to see a copy.

NLD Girls Tournament Results Sleaford RFC Sun 6th Dec

Under 18

U18 Group Stage:

Herts U18 Girls Rugby Team completed the County Season in the Notts, Lincs and Derby (NLD) Tournament against seven other Counties. Herts got away to a confident start in the Group Stage against East Midlands winning 31-0 with 5 Tries from Charlie Faloona, Claire Shutler (x2), Jess Robinson and Chloe Baker, and Three Conversions from Emily Scott.

In the second Group Game however, the team stuttered in the face of some excellent and dogged play from the Staffordshire girls and it was 0-0 at Half Time. Captain Frankie Dawson came to the fore and Courtney Arberry grabbed 2 Tries, plus a Conversion from Emily Scott gave Herts a 12-0 win.

The third Group Game was a straightforward 41-0 win against the NLD ‘B’ side with Tries from Hannah Winfield, Emily Scott (who added 3 Conversions), Shira Kilgallon, Alice Nee and a great hat trick from the flying Wing Alice Finn.

The final Group Game was against an impressive looking, unbeaten Yorkshire side. The big Yorkshire Forwards tried to dominate but the Herts Girls exerted great pressure as the game went on and came away as winners by 17-0 with tries by Alice Finn, Claire Shuttler and Courtney Arberry. Emily Scott Converted once.



Herts 31 East Midlands 0
Tries: Charlie Faloona, Claire Shutler (x2), Jess Robinson, Chloe Baker
Conversions: Emily Scott (x3)

Herts 12 Staffordshire 0
Tries: Courtney Arberry (x2)
Conversion: Emily Scott

Herts 41 Notts, Lincs and Derbyshire (B) 0
Tries: Alice Finn (x3), Hannah Winfield, Alice Nee, Shira Kilgallon, Emily Scott
Conversions: Emily Scott (x3)

Herts 17 Yorkshire 0
Tries: Alice Finn, Claire Shutler, Courtney Arberry
Conversion: Emily Scott

U18 Final:

This set up the Final against the other Group Winners NLD ‘A’. The sides were very well matched and after normal playing time there was no score thanks to some Try saving tackles by the Herts Full Back Emma Wilson. The Game went into sudden death Extra-Time and an early infringement by the NLD side gave Herts a Penalty within kicking range. Emily Scott’s kick hit the upright but the ball bounced over to cap a brilliant running display by the Outside Half. The Referee ended the game and Hertfordshire were NLD Under 18 Tournament Winners for the first time.


Herts 3 NLD(A) 0 Sudden death in extra time
Penalty: Emily Scott


Under 15

U15 Group Stage:

Herts 5 Yorkshire 0
Try: Lotte Clapp.

Herts 24 Eastern Counties 0
Tries: Lotte Clapp (x2), Sidney Nurthen, Chloe-Jean Carpenter.
Conversions: Abbie Maxwell, Stevie Farrow.

Herts 17 Cheshire 0
Tries: Sydney Gregson (x2), Lotte Clapp.
Conversion: Abbie Maxwell.

U15 Final:

Herts 7 v NLD (A) 17
Try: Chloe-Jean Carpenter.
Conversion: Abbie Maxwell

Recommendations from the Competition Review Group on the RFUW Pathway for Implementation 2010-11

These recommendations have been published by the RFUW.

A Player Pathway Feedback Form has been issued with a return date before 25 January 2010, which is also the date that the London N and S and South Evening Roadshow is taking place at Twickenham, hosted by Rosie Williams, Nicky Ponsford and David Rose. The purpose of the Roadshow is to discuss the document, and examine any local issues which may need to be addressed to ensure the success of the programme.

Gloucestershire v. Somerset v. Herts Girls 8th November 2009 Gordon League RFC results

Under 18:

Glos U18 5 Herts U18 12 (Alice Finn Welwyn Tx1, Courtney Arberry Welwyn Tx1, Hannah Gallagher Welwyn C x1).

Glos made an impressive start to the game and displayed excellent forward skills, dominating the scrum, rucks and mauls. Herts defended well playing up the slope, but with the game being played well inside the Herts half, the Gloucester forwards eventually broke through from close range to score the first try of the game. Herts made a number of breaks deep into Gloucestershire territory, but just could not find the final pass to score. The half-time team talk and the introduction of Frankie Dawson resulted in much more aggressive forward play from Herts with the scrum being more evenly matched. Herts were now enjoying more possession and territory and the backs began to test the Gloucester defence with good runs from Chloe Baker and Georgia Peedle. Mid-way through the second half, Gloucester attacked from defence but trademark stealing of the ball by Sam Voyle at the breakdown enabled the back line to put Alice Finn in space. She showed good pace to get to the corner and level the scores at 5 points all. Herts piled on the pressure in the final quarter of the game and it was Gloucester’s turn to hang on in defence. The back-row were now leading the way with charges by Frankie Dawson, but it was Courtney Arberry who drove over from close quarters to put Herts into the lead. Hannah Gallagher converted and Herts won with a scoreline of 12-5.

Somerset U18 0 Herts U18 10 (Hannah Gallagher Welwyn Tx1, Alice Finn Welwyn T x1).

This game looked like another forward battle with the Herts new shape front row and back row to the fore. Herts lineout was also functioning well with Jess Robinson in good form all afternoon. But the game was dramatically changed by a brilliant individual run by Hannah Gallagher who beat numerous players in a run from the half way line to score the opening try. The second try came shortly afterwards as a result of good team pressure on the Somerset back line. From a Somerset mistake the ball was passed to Alice Finn who again showed good pace to score the second try and make the score 10-0. It looked like Herts might run away with the game but great credit to Somerset who battled hard. Several final attacks by Herts were foiled by good defence and the final scoreline remained at 10-0.

Under 15:

Glos U15 15 Herts U15 0.

Somerset 19 Herts U15 10 (Lotte Clapp Welwyn Tx2).

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).

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.

Herts County Girls Trial Sun 13th September Welwyn RFC

On Sun 13th September Herts County Girls Training and Trials are taking place at Welwyn RFC.

All 9-17 Age Players, regardless of level of experience, are invited to attend, but must bring a signed Parental Consent Form, available from their Club Coach / Manager, with them on the day to give to the County Age Group Team Managers on arrival.

In addition attendees should also bring: Clothing suitable for playing Rugby in either Hot or Cold Weather (depending on conditions on the day); Trainers or Boots (dependent on the Ground conditions); Mouthguard: plenty of Liquid; Energy Bars.

All Players are asked to arrive by 12.45 and they will be split into the 3 Age Groups: Under 12 (School Years 5,6,7), Under 15 (School Years 8,9,10) and Under 18 (School Years 11, 12, 13) by the respective County Coaches. Each Age Group will have a separate Pitch and Training / Trial will start after 1.00.

The number of Players attending will dictate whether Herts Girls will be able to field an 'A' and 'Development' side at each Age Group in the 2009-10 Season.