"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 Much of it has appeared on this blog, but there are previously unpublished match reports from the first round of county games, plus other articles about the success of the game in the county.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.

Herts double against Kent

Hertfordshire beat Kent today 12-7.(HT 12-7)Try scorers: Ellena Perry & Syd Gregson. Conv: Zoe Harrison

Ellena's try came from a rucking and mauling session and followed big yards made by Vicci with Bryony in support. Syd's try was a brilliant catch and run down the line from Kent kick-off, evading and handing off several to score under the post.

However, that performance pales beside the U18s who destroyed Kent 60-0, including ten unanswered tries - four from Georgia Peedle, four from Lotte Clapp, one from Olivia Stembridge and one more (plus five conversions) from Claire Shutler.

Joint Girls Training Afternoon, Royston, 12th December

Royston will be entertaining all non-county girl players on Sunday afternoon. There will also be a new squad from Newmarket visiting for their first experience of competitive rugby - so there is a guarantee of a game of rugby for everyone that attends!

If you aim to arrive around midday Royston will organize everyone into teams and aim to start playing by 1.00.
The Club will also be running a BBQ with free hot dogs for players – spectators will have to buy their own!

As Royston have very little changing room for females, they recommend that girls come dressed for rugby with warm tracksuits etc.

Clubs are asked to notify Jamie Johnson at Royston by Friday of anticipated numbers of players.

Gloucester 10s 2011

Advance notice that this season's Gloucester 10s will be played on 23rd and 24th April, again at Hartpury College.

Clubs who have expressed an interest in the past should receive full details next week. If you do not hear anything, or want to ensure that you will receive an invitation, contact Joe Randall - the new tournament organiser.

Joint club training at OAs CANCELLED

OAs have announced that, due to frozen pitches, tomorrow's (28th November) joint training session for girls' clubs has had to be cancelled.

County results, 7th November 2010

Seniors
Leicestershire 7, Hertfordshire 30


U18
Leicestershire 0, Hertfordshire 78 (HT-0-44)
Tries: Georgia Peedle (3), Claire Shutler (3), Lotte Clapp (3), Becky Dawson (2), Sam Voyle, Courtney Arberry, Ruth Flory; Conversions: Claire Shutler (2), Georgia Peedle (2).

U15
Leicestershire 5, Hertfordshire 32
Tries: Bryony Pomfret (2), Sydney Gregson (2), Florence Jones, Zoe Harrison. Conversions: Zoe Harrison

Notts, Lincs & Derbys 5, Hertfordshire 20
Tries: Bryony Pomfret (2), Lily McClure and Vicci Cogger


The U18 game was played over 70 minutes, the two U15 games were each played over 35 minutes.

Congratulations to everyone involved. Full details of these games - and others - (including a list of all players, and who scored when) can now be found on the Rugby Roundup website (look under "Competitions", and then either "Under 15s" or "Under 18s").

New women's and girls' county newsletter

Download the latest edition from here

County Development Day - Hertford, this Sunday

Details about this Sunday's development county day at Hertford have now been finalised.

The aim of these days is to give girls who are not in the county squads as much game time as possible on County days. Girls from both age groups are invited  - but the organisers have said it would be useful for them to know how many will be coming (so please let Mel Timpson know as soon as you possible).

Players should arrive at Hertford after 12 o'clock - changing facilities may be available, but girls should come ready just in case. After a group warm up/training session players will be grouped into teams to play a game or games from about 1pm, with the day finishing at 2 - 2.30pm.

Herts 7s given the go ahead

Good news today - the RFUW have given Hertfordshire dispensation to host the Herts Girls 7’s on Sunday 8th May. This was necessary as, from this season, the women's and girls' season ends at the end of April rather than May, as in previous years. Not only that, but Herts 7s this season will, for the first time, be an RFUW endorsed event.

The Herts Girls 7’s is once again the warm up event to the RFUW National Girls 7’s and will as usual attract the best teams from around the Country, as well as cater for our local sides. This is because the RFUW National Girls 7’s will now be taking place on Sat 14th May (venue t.b.c.), not on Easter Weekend as originally stated.

County development afternoon, Hertford RFC 7th November

26 girls from four Clubs (BS, Hertford, Royston and Welwyn) attended the first training afternoon for girls who are not in the county squads - which is a great turnout and demonstrates that Girls Rugby in the County is thriving. Pictures from the day appear below.

Hertford are hosting the next joint Training Afternoon on Sun 7th November (when the Girls County Teams are away against Leicestershire). More information will appear shortly

Herts schools festival: report and full results

Over 400 schoolgirls representing 26 schools from across Hertfordshire took part in one of the largest girls rugby tournaments ever organised last week. Organised by the Herts rugby development team and sponsored by Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service, the day included two competitions – a tag rugby tournament for girls in Years 7 and 8, and a full-contact tournaments for teams of girls from Years 9 and 10

Teachers and girls enjoyed a “quality event” – to quote Laura from Presdales - and it was her Hertford school that dominated the event, winning both the tag and contact events. Their junior side took the tag tournament with style winning every game and scoring 39 tries in their six games. Only Monks Walk (Welwyn) in the semi-final, and Nobel (Stevenage) in the final came within a try of the champions.

In the full contact event Presdales older girls were almost as all-conquering, beating Chauncy 10-0 in the final. Only Knights Templar (Baldock) spoilt their 100% record, forcing a 20-20 draw that was good enough to send the north Herts school into the final of the consolation shield competition, where they beat Queens 10-0.

Gareth Bradbury, Station Commander at Hertford Fire Station, presented the awards, but wining was not everything. Karen, from Dame Alice Owen, was delighted to see her girls “improve with every game”, while the real highlight of the day for many of the girls was the chance to meet England’s rugby superstar Maggie Alphonsi, who was also very impressed:

“It was a great day. To have so many teams present on the day all demonstrating great skill and ability was fantastic. It is good to see events like this as I feel they all contribute to helping build the women and girls game and promoting the sport within schools.”

Results

U13 Tournament


Group 1
John Warner 10, Presdales 20; Sele 5, Simon Balle 45; John Warner 30, Sele 10; Presdales 30, Simon Balle 10; John Warner 25, Simon Balle 25; Presdales 40, Sele 0

Group 1	W	D	L	F	A	PD	Pts
Presdales	3	0	0	90	20	70	9
Simon Balle	1	1	1	80	60	20	4
John Warner	1	1	1	65	55	10	2
Sele	0	0	3	15	115	-100	0

Group 2

Monks Walk 25, Sir Fred Osbourne 10; St Mary's Catholic B 0, Rickmansworth 35; Monks Walk 30, St Mary's Catholic B 0; Sir Fred Osbourne 10, Rickmansworth 10; Monks Walk 15, Rickmansworth 15; St Mary's Catholic B 5, Sir Fred Osbourne 25

Group 2	W	D	L	F	A	PD	Pts
Monks Walk	2	1	0	70	25	45	7
Rickmansworth	1	2	0	60	25	35	5
Sir Fred Osbourne	1	1	1	45	40	5	4
St Mary's Cath B	0	0	3	5	90	-85	0

Group 3

Francis Combe 0, Queens 15; Hertswood 20, Dame Alice Owens 10; Westfield 15, Francis Combe 5; Queens 20, Hertswood 10; Dame Alice Owens 0, Westfield 30; Francis Combe 5, Hertswood 5; Queens 30, Dame Alice Owens 0; Westfield 10, Hertswood 5; Francis Combe 5, Dame Alice Owens 0; Queens 10, Westfield 15

Group 3	W	D	L	F	A	PD	Pts
Westfield	4	0	0	70	20	50	12
Queens	3	0	1	75	25	50	9
Hertswood	1	1	2	40	45	-5	4
Francis Combe	1	1	2	15	35	-20	4
Dame Alice Owens	0	0	4	10	85	-75	0

Group 4

Hitchin Girls 0, Nobel 0; Knights Templar 5, John Henry Newman 5; St Mary's Catholic A 5, Hitchin Girls 0; Nobel 15, Knights Templar 0; John Henry Newman 0, St Mary's Catholic A 5; Hitchin Girls 10, Knights Templay 0; Nobel 15, John Henry Newman 0; St Mary's Catholic A 10, Knights Templar 0; Hitchin Girls 20, John Henry Newman 0; St Mary's Catholic A 0, Nobel 10

Group 4	W	D	L	F	A	PD	Pts
Nobel	3	1	0	40	0	40	10
St Mary's Cath A	3	0	1	20	10	10	9
Hitchin Girls	2	1	1	30	5	25	7
Knights Templar	0	1	3	5	40	-35	1
John H Newman	0	1	3	5	45	-40	1

Group 5

Nicholas Breakspear 5, Loreto 0; Beaumont 0, Tring 20; Sir John Lawes 5, Nicholas Breakspear 5; Loreto 5, Beaumont 10; Tring 0, Sir John Lawes 15; Nicholas Breakspear 5, Beaumont 5; Loreto 10, Tring 15; Sir John Lawes 10, Beaumont 0; Nicholas Breakspear 5, Tring 10; Sir John Lawes 10, Loreto 5

Group 5	W	D	L	F	A	PD	Pts
Sir John Lawes	4	0	0	40	5	35	12
Tring	3	0	1	45	30	15	9
Nicholas Breakspr	1	1	2	15	20	-5	4
Beaumont	1	1	2	15	40	-25	4
Loreto	0	0	4	20	40	-20	0

Quarter-finalsPresdales 30, Sir John Lawes 5; Monks Walk 15, St Mary's Catholic A 5; Westfield 10, Tring 15; Nobel 5, Queens 0
Semi-finalsPresdales 10, Monks Walk 5; Tring 5, Nobel 5 (Nobel qualify on group performance)
Third place play-offMonks Walk 0, Tring 10
FinalPresdales 15, Nobel 10
U15 Competition
Presdales 25, Queens 0; Nobel 0, Chauncy 5; St Mary's Catholic 0, Knight's Templar 20; Queens 10, Roundwood Park 5; Presdales 10, Nobel 5; Chauncy 20, St Mary's Catholic 5; Knight's Templar 10, Roundwood Park 0; Queens 0, Nobel 5; Presdales 10, Chancy 0; St Mary's Catholic 5, Roundwood Park 5; Queens 0, Chancy 10; Presdales 20, St Mary's Catholic 0; Nobel 10, Roundwood Park 5; Queens 10, St Mary's Catholic 0; Presdales 20, Knight's Templar 20; Chancy 15, Roundwood Park 5; Nobel 20, Knight's Templar 15; Presdales 5, Roundwood Park 0; Chancy 10, Knight's Templar 10; Nobel 15, St Mary's Catholic 0; Queens 25, Knight's Templar 5

	W	D	L	F	A	PD	Pts
Presdales	5	1	0	90	5	85	16
Chancy	4	1	1	60	30	30	13
Nobel	4	0	2	55	35	20	12
Queens	3	0	3	45	50	-5	9
Knight's Templar	2	2	2	80	75	5	8
Roundwood Park	0	1	5	20	55	-35	1
St Mary's Catholic	0	1	5	10	90	-80	1

Trophy final

Presdales 10, Chancy 0

Shield final

Queens 0, Knights Templar 10

Herts Schools Rugby Competition for Girls 20th Oct Hertford RFC Results

U13 (Years 7 + 8) Trophy

Winners: Presdales.
Runners-up: Nobel.
3rd: Tring.
4th: Monks Walk.

A total of 23 Schools took part in the U13 Tournament.

U15 (Years 9 + 10) Trophy

Winners: Presdales.
Runners-up: Chauncy

U15 (Years 9 + 10) Shield

Winners: Knights Templar
Runners-up: Queens

A total of 7 Schools took part in the U15 Tournament.

East Region physio strikes gold

The regions may be no more, but East can maybe claim one final bit of glory.

Nicky Hunt - winner of the gold medal at the weekend in the women's compound archery event - was the East Region team physio in 2007. Even then archery was important - but she fitted her support for the rugby team into her punishing schedule.

She did a great job - but unfortunately was unable to work with the region after that as her own sporting training took priority. And it looks like she got her priorities right!

So congratulations to Nicky from everyone involved with the 2007 East squad!

World cup heroes support record-breaking schools tournament

Every school year begins with headlines about the decline of school rugby, with claims that fewer and fewer schools play the game, and children choosing less traditional activities. That may be true in some places, but in Hertfordshire one part of the game is expanding – and expanding massively.

A couple of years ago Hertford RFC hosted the county’s first girls’ schools tournament. There were only four entrants. But on 20^th October Hertford will host a girls’ school rugby festival which will feature an incredible 38 school teams across two age bands. Over 400 girls from every part of the county are expected making it one of the largest girls’ state school rugby festivals ever staged – anywhere.

27 teams will take part in a tag rugby tournament for Years 7 and 8, while another 11 take part in a full-contact tournament for Years 9 and 10 – including the Presdales school team that won the national championship in 2009 (full list below).

Representatives from several of the county’s club teams will also be present. Girls’ rugby is now well established at many rugby clubs across the county as the game continues to grow, helped by the summer’s massively successful Women’s Rugby World Cup.

And if the girls want an incentive to take up the sport then they could no do better than learn from two of the country’s World Cup heroes, who will be watching the event. England and Saracens superstar Maggie Alphonsi – one of the greatest female rugby players in the world – will be joined by international team-mate Michaela Staniford, whose rugby career began thanks to her being introduced to the game at her Hertfordshire school.

With Hertfordshire’s girls picking up the ball in record numbers, how many will be following Maggie and Michaela into the England team?

Come to Hertford and see the future of Herts schools rugby – and maybe even some future England champions!

·  

• The event would not have been possible without the work of the county’s School Sport Co-ordinators (SSCos) and Partnership Development Managers (PDMs), who ensure that inter-school tournaments like this can take place – and that the talented players that the schools unearth can move on to become the sports stars of tomorrow.

Event details

Hertfordshire Schools Girls Rugby Festival, At Hertford Rugby Football Club, Highfields, Hoe Lane, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 9NZ, 20^th October 2010, from 1- 5pm.

Entrants:

Years 7 & 8:			Years 9 & 10
Turnford John Warner Presdales Chauncy Sele Simon Balle St Mary's Catholic A St Mary's Catholic B Birchwood Rickmansworth Queens	Westfield Monks Walk Hertswood Sir Frederic Osborn Hitchin Girls Nobel Knight's Templar John Henry Newman Adeyfield Hemel Hempstead Tring	Sir John Lawes Nicholas Breakspear Loreto Beaumont Dame Alice Owens	Queens Presdales Nobel Chauncy St Mary's Catholic Sir John Lawes Knight's Templar Westfield Roundwood Park

Herts Sports Partnership's guide to funding opportunities

HSP's latest e-newsletter is a very useful guide to all of the funding opportunities available to clubs and individuals, both local and national.

Click here for details.

Herts Women's and Girls' Newsletter

The latest newsletter can be downloaded from here.

2010-11 Leagues for Herts Womens Clubs

RFUW Premiership (1st Tier):

* OA Saints
* Saracens

RFUW Championship South 1 (2nd Tier):

* Saracens II

RFUW Challenge South East (North) 2 (5th Tier):

* Hertford
* Hitchin
* OA Saints II
* Tabard

Girls Talent Development Group (TDG) 2010-11

Congratulations to the following Herts U18 Players who have been selected as part of this Seasons National TDG Group of 35:

* Georgia Peedle (Welwyn)

* Claire Shutler (Saracens)

* Sam Voyle (Welwyn)

Hitchin also win promotion

Further success for Hertfordshire. Hitchin Ladies have been promoted following their performance in South East West 3 last season. They will now play in South East North 2 next season - a league that will include representatives of all Herts clubs as it also includes Tabard, Hertford and OA Saints II, as well as Harlow, Wellingborough and Southwold.

County fixtures 2010-11

RFUW have issued the county fixtures for next season, for both senior and junior teams. Hertfordshire's games are:

7th November
Seniors, U18 and U15 v Leicestershire (away)

12th December
Seniors v Notts, Lincs & Derbys (home)
U18 and U15 v Eastern Counties, and Kent (triangular, at Eastern Counties)