Alphonsi’s girls enjoy divisional festival finish

The competition phase of the Rugby Football Union for Women’s (RFUW) divisional programme for 2011-12 came to a successful conclusion with a festival of matches, training and coaching for Under 15s and under 18s at Hartpury College, Gloucestershire over the weekend of March 31 and April 1.

Each of the four divisional under 15s sides played 40-minute matches against the other three divisions, while the U18s completed their season’s series with the North defeating London 22-14 and the South West as 49-5 winners over the Midlands.

There were also coaching clinics split into forwards and backs, attended by international players Danielle Waterman, La Toya Mason and Isabelle Noel Smith as well as a number of RFUW divisional coaches who gave the girls a different perspective to build their personal development.

All the girls may hope to follow the example of Maggie Alphonsi, the England Women’s international flanker who is the London & South East talent development officer.

Alphonsi, who recently helped England Women win the Six Nations Grand Slam, was on hand at Hartpury to run her experienced eye over all four divisions’ budding stars.

“Overall the divisional programme has been a great success and I am pleased by the number of good players we have had come through the pathway,” said Alphonsi.
“With this being the last set of fixtures for both U18 and U15 age groups all divisions were looking to end on a high and demonstrate their skills.”

Each of the four divisions selected a player of the festival.

Izzy Collis (Sussex and South Sussex Barbarians) and Scarlett Millen (Kent and Folkestone) were the London & South East winners in the U15s and 18s respectively, for their overall contribution across the weekend.

The next step for all the players in the RFUW divisional programme this season is the chance to be selected for national talent development groups.

Around 30 players each will go to an Under 15s camp at Wellington College, and three camps for the U18s, while others may be involved in summer training camps.

Development of players is the principal aim in the RFUW divisional programme, which runs at three age levels – seniors, U18s and U15s – and forms an integral part of the RFUW Player Pathway helping talented girls move from club rugby to representing their county, their division and their country.

Left to right; Courtney Arberry; Lotte Clapp;
Olivia Stenbridge; Maggie Alphonsi;
Scarlett Cooper-Wall; Shira Kilgallon; Oren Blindell

London & South East Under 18s:
Bozenna Jackson, Southwold and Eastern Counties
Madeleine Lockwood, Rochford Hundred and Essex
Yasmin Pemberton, Rochford Hundred and Essex
Catherine Pugh, Rochford Hundred and Essex
Vicky Childs, Ellingham & Ringwood and Hampshire
Zoe Barber, Solent Sirens and Hampshire
Fran Hall, Solent Sirens and Hampshire
Zoe Joslin, Solent Sirens and Hampshire
Courtney Arberry, Welwyn and Hertfordshire
Oren Bindell, Welwyn and Hertfordshire
Lotte Clapp, Welwyn and Hertfordshire
Scarlett Cooper-Wall, Welwyn and Hertfordshire
Sydney Gregson, Welwyn and Hertfordshire
Shira Kilgallon, Welwyn and Hertfordshire
Olivia Stembridge, Welwyn and Hertfordshire
Scarlett Millen, Folkestone and Kent
Samantha Parker, Folkestone and Kent
Hannah Phillip, Beckenham and Kent
Flo Williams, Aylesford and Kent
Serena Carter, London Irish and Surrey
Lydia Davey, London Irish and Surrey
Gemma Joblanska, London Irish and Surrey
Siobhan Longdon-Hughes, London Irish and Surrey
Amber Luke, London Irish and Surrey
Rebecca Pritchard, London Irish and Surrey
Rochelle Smith, London Irish and Surrey
Emma Swords, London Irish and Surrey
Gabie Archer, Worthing and Sussex.

Left to right; Ellena Perry; Harriet Austin; Zoe Harrison;
Maggie Alphonsi; Hayley Everett; Rosie Kay; Katy Walker

London & South East Under 15s
Chloe Rix, Lakenham Hewett and Eastern Counties
Lucy West, Colchester and Eastern Counties
Georgia Bradley, Rochford Hundred and Essex
Emily Ferguson, Rochford Hundred and Essex
Faye Smale, Rochford Hundred and Essex
Megan Okey, Thurrock and Essex
Hannah West, Solent Sirens and Hampshire
Alex Clay, Solent Sirens and Hampshire
Harriet Austin, Hertford and Hertfordshire
Hayley Everett, Old Albanians and Hertfordshire
Ellena Perry, Welwyn and Hertfordshire
Zoe Harrison, Welwyn and Hertfordshire
Rosie Kay, Hertford and Hertfordshire
Katy Walker, Hertford and Hertfordshire
Ella Levey, Aylesford and Kent
Georgina Neary, Aylesford and Kent
Laura Tolley, Aylesford and Kent
Tazmin Bricknell, Medway and Kent
Aegean Leech, Aylesford and Kent
Daisy Lengthorn, Aylesford and Kent
Elizabeth Nicholl, Aylesford and Kent
Boo Wadhams, Medway and Kent
Sarah Bern, London Irish and Surrey
Jessica Boyd, London Irish and Surrey
Hannah Trenholm, London Irish and Surrey
Eleanor Boatman, London Irish and Surrey
Charley Brunton, South Sussex Barbarians and Sussex
Jessica Breach, South Sussex Barbarians and Sussex
Hermione Caddick, South Sussex Barbarians and Sussex
Izzy Collis, South Sussex Barbarians and Sussex.

Junior Divisional Championship 2012

London and South East U15s won the first official divisional championship for their age band last at the Divisional Festival at Hartpury College last weekend. However, as last year when they  were "unofficial" winners, the tournament went right down to the wire. L&SE, North and Midlands all won two of their three games, but L&SE - with six Hertfordshire girls in the squad - took the title with a superior points difference.

Results:
North 17, London and South East 10
London and South East 24, South West 15
South West 5, North 36
Midlands 0, London and South East 29
Midlands 19, North 5
South West 17, Midlands 24

The U18s were less fortunate. Winners last season, L&SE's older girls lost their opening game to South West - who went on to take the title with an impressive 100% record. L&SE's girls recovered from their opening game to beat Midlands, but then lost to North last weekend to finish a disappointing third.

Results:
Midlands 13, North 12
London and South East 19, South West 38
South West 29, North 5
Midlands 7, London and South East 27
North 22, London and South East 14
Midlands 5, South West 49

Divisional news

England flanker Maggie Alphonsi will be hoping for double success on Sunday afternoon with her Six Nations match against France in Paris to be followed by the latest match for London & South East in the RFUW Women’s Divisional Programme.

Development of players is the principal aim in the divisional programme, which runs at three age levels – seniors, Under 18s and Under 15s – with the London & South East seniors kicking off against the North in Sheffield an hour or so after Alphonsi and her team get started in their international Test at Stade Charlety.

Alphonsi is the Talent Identification Officer in London & South East, and so is overseeing the region’s female players hoping to progress from club rugby to representing their county, their division and their country through the programme that forms an integral part of the RFUW Player Pathway.

Having kicked off their three-match fixture list with a 17-5 win over the South West at Newbury on February 26, London & South East seniors have made nine changes to the starting line-up to take on the North, who were 24-14 winners over the Midlands.

Tina Lee, the captain, switches from fly half to scrum half, four players step up from the bench and five come into the XV from outside the previous match squad.

Alphonsi said: “The squad will be without our England U20 players Mica Evans, Ellie Gatlin, Hannah Edwards and Fiona Davidson as they will, like me, be away playing their first match against the French.

“London & South East will also be without England Sevens players Leanne Riley and Emily Scott as they prepare for their next tournament.

“I am very confident though that we have some fantastic players who have all been involved in the programme over the last few years. They are starting to gel well together and will relish the opportunity to play against the North.

“This fixture last year saw London & South East dominate and win the match. I feel the re-match on Sunday will be a good one as both teams will be coming off the back of too good wins.

“I’ve got my fingers crossed, knowing the team manager Helen Richardson will text the news through to me in France.

“But, at all times, the main purpose in this programme is for all the players to enjoy themselves while adding to their understanding and appreciation of the game.”

London & South East Women Seniors v North, away, at Sheffield RFC, March 11, 2012 (2pm):

15 Sophie Nicholas (Richmond and Surrey)
14 Holly Myers (Trojans and Hampshire)
13 Stacey White (Wasps and Middlesex)
12 Louise Meadows (Saracens and Middlesex)
11 Charlotte Barras (Saracens and Hertfordshire)
10 Jayne Goodliffe (Richmond and Surrey)
9 Tina Lee (Wasps and Surrey, capt)
1 Sasha Acheson (Saracens and Eastern Counties)
2 Katherine Evans (Saracens and Hertfordshire, vice capt)
3 Ellisha Dee (Old Albanians Saints and Hertfordshire)
4 Sara Anastasi (Richmond and Surrey)
5 Debbie McCormack (Medway and Kent)
6 Becky Roby (Saracens and Hertfordshire)
7 Libby Povey (Richmond and Surrey)
8 Nicola Hoole (Richmond and Surrey)

Replacements:
16 Laura Kapo (Richmond and Surrey)
17 Nat McClarnon (Saracens and Essex)
18 Hannah Field (Wasps and Middlesex)
19 Helena Potts (London Welsh and Middlesex)
20 Claire Phelps (Lakenham Hewett and Eastern Counties)
21 Sam McCarthy (Richmond and Surrey)
22 Elaine Jaxon (Blackheath and Kent)

Head Coach David Mobbs Smith, Assistant Coach James Cooper, Manager Helen Richardson, Physio Lara Ryan.

Women’s Seniors’ fixtures 2012:

February 26: North 24 Midlands 14, Blackwell Meadows Darlington; South West 5 London & South East 17, Newbury RFC.

March 11: Midlands v South West, Whitchurch RFC, 2pm; North v London & South East, Sheffield RFC, 2pm.

March 18: Midlands v London & South East, Five Ways OE, Worcester, 1pm; South West v North, Stroud RFC, 3pm.

London & South East Women's U18s and U15s teams take on South West at Esher this Sunday

London & South East’s Under 15s and U18s contenders looking to put down a marker with the England Women’s selectors will be hoping for better luck with the weather than last weekend’s Senior team when they take on their South West counterparts at Esher RFC on Sunday (February 19). While the Seniors are reorganising their postponed schedule, the two age-group squads representing London & South East are heading to Molesey Road for the start of their RFUW Divisional Programme campaign.

The Rugby Football Union for Women Divisional Programme forms an integral part of the RFUW Player Pathway, which can see players progressing from club rugby to representing their county, their division and their country.

Players selected for the Divisional Programme have been chosen by their Constituency Body and if they are successful at that level, they can earn an England trial or qualify for the Under 18s and Under 15s RFUW National Talent Development Groups.

Maggie Alphonsi, the England flanker who is Divisional Talent Development Officer for London and South East, said: “The U15s have a very good team this year with a mix of experience and youth. The team will be led by Sarah Bern who is one of our Talent Development Group players and she will be looking to emulate the efforts of the team last year. 

“This Sunday will be a good match as the South West team also has a mix of players so will present a good challenge for the London and South East U15s squad.”

London & South East finished top of the win-loss table in both age groups in last season’s programme, although the matches are primarily about developing players.

Alphonsi said of the U18s side: “The team will be led by Essex prop Cath Pugh who was the captain last year and will be looking to emulate the efforts of that team against a capable South West team.”

RFUW Division Programme, Sunday February 19, 2012:

Under 15s: London & South East v South West at Esher RFC (1pm); Midlands v North at Five Ways OE, Worcester (1pm).

Under 18s: London & South East v South West at Esher RFC (2.45pm); Midlands v North at Five Ways OE, Worcester (2.45pm).

London & South East Women’s U15, v South West:

Harriet Austin (Hertfordshire and Hertford), Sarah Bern (Surrey and London Irish, capt), Eleanor Boatman (Surrey and London Irish), Jessica  Boyd (Surrey and London Irish), Georgia Bradley (Essex and Rochford Hundred), Jessica  Breach (Sussex and South Sussex Barbarians), Tazmin Bricknell (Kent and Aylesford), Charley Brunton (Sussex and Worthing), Hermione Caddick (Sussex and South Sussex Barbarians), Alex  Clay (Hampshire and Solent Sirens), Izzy Collis (Sussex and South Sussex Barbarians), Hayley Everett (Hertfordshire and Old Albanians), Emily Ferguson (Essex and Rochford Hundred), Zoe Harrison (Hertfordshire and Welwyn), Rosie Kay (Hertfordshire and Hertford), Aegean  Leech (Kent and Aylesford), Daisy Lengthorn (Kent and Aylesford), Ella Levey (Kent and Aylesford), Georgina  Neary (Kent and Aylesford), Elizabeth Nicholl (Kent and Aylesford), Megan  Okey (Essex and Thurrock), Ellena  Perry (Hertfordshire and Welwyn), Chloe Rix (East and Lakenham Hewett), Faye Smale (Essex and Rochford Hundred), Laura Tolley (Kent and Aylesford), Hannah Trenholm (Surrey and London Irish), Rebecca Wadhams (Kent and Aylesford), Katy Walker (Hertfordshire and Hertford), Hannah West (Hampshire and Solent Sirens), Lucy West (East and Colchester).

Head Coach Simon Burgess, Assistant Coach Samuel Carpenter, Manager Melanie Liley, Physio Kevin Powell.

London & South East Women’s U18, v South West:

15 Sydney Grayson (Hertfordshire and Welwyn); 14 Lotte Clapp (Hertfordshire and Welwyn), 13 Rochelle Smith (Surrey and London Irish, vice capt), 12 Emma Sword (Surrey and London Irish), 11 Sioghan Longdon (Surrey and London Irish); 10 Flo Williams (Kent and Aylesford), 9 Sammy Parker (Kent and Folkestone); 1 Cath Pugh (Essex and Rochford Hundred, capt), 2 Lydia Beard (Kent and Aylesford), 3 Scarlett Cooper-Wall (Hertfordshire and Welwyn), 4 Lydia Davey (Surrey and London Irish), 5 Bowenna Jackson (East and Southwold), 6 Maddy Lockwood (Essex and Rochford Hundred), 7 Amber Luke (Surrey and London Irish), 8 Fran Hall (Hampshire and Solent Sirens).

Replacements: 16 Zoe Joslin (Hampshire and Solent Sirens), 17 Oren Blindell (Hertfordshire and Welwyn), 18 Courtney Arberry (Hertfordshire and Welwyn), 19 Zoe Barber (Hampshire and Solent Sirens), 20 Vicky Childs (Hampshire and Ellingham & Ringwood), 21 Gabie Archer (Sussex and Worthing), 22 Rebecca Prichard (Surrey and London Irish).

Head Coach Stuart McIntyre, Assistant Coach Jack Baird, Manager Lindsay Topham, Physio Jennifer Graham.

London & South East Division Girls Squad

After the recent divisional trials at Guildford on 22nd January, the following Hertfordshire County Girls have been selected for the London & South East Divisional squad:

Under 18

Courtney Arberry

Oren Blindell

Lotte Clapp

Scarlett Cooper-Wall

Sydney Gregson

Shira Kilgallon

Olivia Stembridge

Under 15

Harriet Austin

Hayley Everett

Zoe Harrison

Rosie Kay

Ellena Perry
Katy Walker

Honours even at U15 Divisional Festival

The aim of the U15 Divisional Festival at Hartpury was not to find a winning Division, but to identify the best players in the country and allow them to play against each other. As a result all players in the squads were given an opportunity to play at least one game, if not more.

However, despite that, over the season as a whole London & SE finished with a reasonable claim to be one of, if not the, leading divisions. No side finished unbeaten over the weekend - L&SE lost their opening game to South West by 19-7, but in the second round South West lost to Midlands, who L&SE beat 17-0 in round three. With a 14-0 round two win over North 14-0, L&SE finished with the same record win-loss record as South West.

Details of individual performances and TDG selections have yet to be published, but the crucial win over Midlands was based around two tries from Hertfordshire's Sydney Gregson.

L&SE U18s sweep to Divisional title

Photo: Elaine Peedle

L&SE completed a successful divisional programme with a 12-0 win over Midland Division to remain as the only undefeated division at U18, with Hertfordshire players to the fore. Sam Voyle - playing in an unaccustomed role at number eight - had a fantastic game and was picked by Gary Street as the L&SE player of the match.  Alice Nee came on as an early substitute in the front row, which saw L&SE very dominant at the set plays.

Although they had first phase domination L&SE, could not break down the Midlands defence and the Midlands repeatedly were able to turn over possession and counter attack dangerously. At half time the score was still nil-nil.

The introduction of Claire Shutler in an unaccustomed role at fly half and Shira Kilgallon at centre gave the L&SE back line more impetus in the second half, and Claire was able to run through the Midland defence to score from 10m out and convert her own try to ease the L&SE nerves. The backs then began to play with more confidence and the domination of the forwards gave them good ball to continue attacking and get a second try.

In the other match the North defeated the South West 15-12 in a very close encounter.

The final table was:

P W D L F A Pts London & South East 3 2 1 0 59 15 5 North 3 2 0 1 37 49 4 South West 3 1 1 1 58 39 3 Midlands 3 0 0 3 24 65 0

Herts Girls aiming at Divisional glory

The county's leading U15 and U18 girls will be looking to repeat the achievement of the senior players and win divisional titles at Hartpury College this weekend.

The U18s are already flying high at the top of their table. Although London & SE drew with their main rivals - South West - in the opening game, their 32-0 win against North was far better than South West could achieve against Midlands, and now it is only the Midlands - who have lost both of their games so far - that stand between L&SE and the title. Hertfordshire girls in the squad for the game, on Sunday, are Sam Voyle (Welwyn), Claire Shutler (Saracens), Alice Nee (Saracens), and Shira Kilgallon (Welwyn)

The U15s will be playing their entire championship at the Festival, which will resemble the old Regional Festival with each team playing three 20 minute games. However, L&SE will be going into the competition with confidence having beaten South West 27-10 in a warm-up game last month - Hertfordshire representatives will be Harriet Austin (Hertford), Bryony Pomfret (Welwyn), and Sydney Gregson (Letchworth).

After this festival there will be 30 U18s and 30 U15s chosen to attend a training camp and a National Talent Development Programme.

The U18s will become part of the National Talent Development Group, attending a four day summer camp at Wellington College that will include skill development, team building, welfare and time management education. They will also receive five extra one to one sessions and a player specific development plan with their Divisional Talent Development Officer – in London & South East’s case Maggie Alphonsi.

The U15s players will attend a three day training camp at Wellington College in August with a focus on skill development as well as nutrition and strength and conditioning education plus expectations about elite athlete behaviour.

Herts players contribute to a London & SE double

Players from the county were at the heart of a unique London & SE Divisional double over North Division at Luton RFC on Sunday.

A strong L&SE team containing five Hertfordshire girls - Alice Nee (Saracens), Sam Voyle (Welwyn), Claire Shutler (Saracens), Shira Kilgallon (Welwyn), Georgia Peedle (Welwyn) - were picked for their match. The L&SE team looked really up for the match from the kick off running the ball back strongly at the North, with Sam Voyle heavily involved. And it wasn’t long before the pressure saw the North defence sucked in and L&SE being able to spin the ball wide to score.

The L&SE tactics were to use the large mobile back row to take the ball up before spinning the ball down the backs. They were playing some good rugby moving the ball from touchline to touchline and having dominance in the scrums. Applying the pressure and dominating possession it wasn’t long before the L&SE again scored this time through the forwards and their captain. The North continued to tackle hard and started to test the L&SE defence with some good runs, but strong competition at the breakdown and good cover defence stopped any breakthrough. An interception by Claire Shutler in her own 22m saw her caught deep in the North half and although she didn’t score from that move excellent forward pressure saw her dive over from close range for a 15-0 half time lead.

The second half continued much the same as the first although both teams used their benches. L&SE were still dominating territory and possession and Shira was getting better ball in the second half to help herself to two tries and then Nina topped off the performance with a great solo try under the posts for a 32-0 full time score.

This impressive performance was more than matched by the senior Divisional With six Hertfordshire players in their squad - Hannah Casey (Tabard), Kat Brinsley (Old Albanians), Sasha Acheson (Saracens), Sonia Green (Saracens), Hannah Gallagher (Saracens), Simone Shepard (Old Albanians) - the Division completed their own "Grand Slam", beating North by 33-13 to complete a 100% record and lift the first ever women's divisional title.

The final table for the senior divisional championship looked like this:

P W D L F A Pts London & South East 3 3 0 0 67 30 6 North 3 1 0 2 66 75 2 Midlands 3 1 0 2 46 57 2 South West 3 1 0 2 46 63 2

The U18s are also unbeaten and will be favourites to lift their title at the Divisional Festival next month.