A league winning season is always something to write home about – and an unbeaten one especially so – however there have been other huge successes this year, not least the launch of the club’s first ever second/development
women’s side.

The recent club end of season awards dinner made strong mention of the work the ladies section have been doing on and off the pitch. On it, successes include of course a first league win in six seasons for the ladies who are now promoted to Championship 2. Next season they will
face local rivals Rosslyn Park, Wimbledon and London Welsh, while travelling further afield to face Trojans, Bath, Supermarine and Plymouth. It will be a tough challenge and there is plenty of hard work ahead.

Another highlight was the Junior Cup Semi-Final where the ladies joined Gloucester-Hartpury as the first ever women’s team to play at Kingsholm Stadium. Gloucester – a team certainly on the rise – were too strong on the day but what an occasion and an experience to savour.

The launch of the development team has also been a hugely proud moment for the club who are operating from a much larger playing squad than ever before. The development team entered and won the Griffin Cup, a tournament for developing teams across Middlesex. The competition meant many brand new players to rugby had a perfect environment to learn the game. The team will be back for more next season.

Representative rugby has also been a feature with around 10 players already having represented Middlesex this year and one player going on to represent the South East in English rugby’s high quality regional games, alongside many international players.

Off the pitch there has been plenty of fun too! The ladies ended the year with a tour to Magaluf, where they were crowned Plate winners of the Beach 7s, but add to that plenty of socials, a 10s tournament played at Twickenham and a couple of road trips and it has all added up to an outstanding season.

Congraulations are due to a few players in particular. Rhian Clarkson ended the season as team’s highest points scorer (83) while Izzy Jorris grabbed the record try scoring tally (16) . Award winners at the end of the season were Heather Smith and Toni Kershaw who shared the Players Player of the Year Award, Emma Davis won the Linda Uttley Player of the Year, Emma Kite won Best Newcomer and Jane Wescott won Most Improved. Well done to all.

Heather Smith has been voted in captain for next season after a player vote and huge thanks and well done is due to Penny Carr, who has led the team brilliantly over the last two years. She leaves big boots to fill.

Thanks too to the huge hard work behind the scenes of Sarah Edwards, who has kept the junior girls show on the road and done an incredible amount to organise and manage the entire ladies section.

Coaches Charlie Veale and Ali Donnelly are back again next season where they will be joined by one more coach, while pre season training is set to begin on Tuesday July 7 at Bushy Park.

Also good news is that Louise Meadows, a Level 3 Qualified coach, is joining the club next year as a player coach with the women’s side. Her experience as a player and a coach will be a big asset to the squad and she is very welcome on board

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We are a friendly local side, supporting ladies and girls rugby for all ages and abilities.
To join us contact: sarah.edwards@makeitclear.co.uk