27 girls made the trip down to Oxford RFC as Leicestershire Ladies kicked of their Gill Burns Div2 County Cup campaign with a resounding 30-7 win in an entertaining warm up game against Oxfordshire.

Leicestershire took the lead as early on as the 6th Minute with No8 Jade Shakespeare picking up a loose ball to go over from 5 meters out, the score was doubled on ten minutes when Centre Mireia Garcia Santiago showed some classy 7s skills, twice in successive tackles releasing the ball getting to feet and gathering the ball again to set up Prop Pippa Arkle for a 10-0 lead.

10 became 15 straight from the restart with arguably the best worked try of the game, Oxfordshire kicked deep finding full back Eleanor Udall who set of on a mazy run and the ball being offloaded cleverly with support from her fellow backs before the final pass found Flanker Danni Allen to dot down fr 15-0.

Allen got her second try just before half time after Leicestershire created an overlap on the left and Quick ball and a deft dummy pass allowed her to cross the whitewash to close the half out 20-0.

The large squad allowed for Wholesale changes in the second half and Leicestershire were straight back on the attack working the ball upfield were an infringement by the home side earned them a Scrum 5 meters out, replacement 8 Sharifa Kasolo picked from the back of the Scrum and her dart for the line saw her tackled short but quick thinking saw Scrum Half Francesca Rushton pick from the back of the ruck to dive over to take the lead out to 25-0 with 45 mins gone.

13 minutes later it was try time again when Prop Carla Jones cut a great line to take a deft pop pass to crash over for 30-0 which remained the score right up to the last play when Oxfordshire got on the board themselves with a well worked and well served Converted try for a final score of 30-7

There is a great strength in depth within this years squad and the county is represented by players from Loughborough Town  RFC, Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough Lightning Development, Lutterworth RFC, Coalville RFC, Leicester University, DMU University and Sileby Town. We would also like to thank former Backs coach Marc Birr and wish him well in his role as County Development Officer and former Forwards Coach George Richardson, we wish him well too.

This seasons programme sees Leicestershire play two away games and one home game. Next up is Round 1 of the pool games away against Warwickshire at Rugby Lions RFC on Sunday 28th April with a KO of 2pm.

Saturday 4th May sees Leicestershire play neighbours Staffordshire at Coalville RFC in a double header with the county men, a feast of County Rugby , KO 12.30.

Our final pool game on 12th May sees us travel to Sale RFC to take on Cheshire With A KO of 2.30.

The 2019 girls county program has come an end and we have seen fantastic rugby played over the three Sunday fixtures, in completely different weather conditions.

The first fixture was played at Syston Rfc on a morning that dawned with thick fog blanketing the pitches and almost threatened the day’s rugby, but luckily it lifted and we saw a full day of rugby involving four counties at two age groups and three forms of the game 15’s, 7’s and Xrugby7’s. This was a new format for girls rugby, the Leicestershire teams had mixed fortunes on the day  results wise but some great rugby played by all four CB’s. Thank you to Syston RFC for helping us host the Event.

The second fixture was at Rugby Lions and was against Warwickshire at both age groups. The weather was again interesting, with a very strong wind all day interspersed with rain, hail and snow. The rugby was again top class despite the conditions and our thanks go to Warwickshire Rugby Union for organising the fixture at short notice, after the original venue fell victim to the weather. With Leicestershire U18s beating Warwickshire 21-0. The U15s narrowly going to Warwickshire 12-10. A great effort by all including Rugby Lions in hosting at such sort notice.

The final fixture was again at Rugby Lions for the u15 and at Walsall Rfc for the u18, the weather was kind to us and great rugby was played in glorious sunshine. Leicestershire were playing Staffordshire at Both U18s and U15s. The U18s came back from being 14-10 down at half time to win 27-24 in a very close game, to win both of they full fixtures. The U15s eventually ran 15-0 winner with three great team try’s. After a lengthy injury breaking and having change pitches( a neck injury to the Staffordshire left wing get well soon).

This year Leicestershire Rugby Union appointed new coaching teams for both u18 & u15 squads who have done a great job.  David Challenger, David Young at U18s & Ofure Ugiagbe ( Fuzz to us all ) Jenny Renton. Development coaching roles were also appointed to David Kennedy at U18s and Eleanor Wilkinson at U15s. Well done both of you. Finally a thank you to all the players and parents throughout the programme you have been fantastic.

Looking forward to 2020!

Leicestershire County Girls are looking for players to represent the county for this season.

We will be holding open trials on the following dates for the following age groups at Birstall RFC, Coop Sports Ground, Birstall Road, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE4 4DE

• Under 18’s –  Sunday 27th January
• Under 15’s – Sunday 3rd February

For further information please contact Jon Foster, team manager;  jonfoster23@btinternet.com

You will be required to complete a consent form and will need to be a registered player.

Here’s your squad for the ladies travelling to their semi-final away at Stowmarket against Eastern Counties. Good luck ladies!

Leicestershire ladies played in their third match at Birstall RFC of the qualifying rounds against Cheshire in what wasn’t just a match but a fight for a place in the semi-finals.

Both teams had won their previous two games, so neither were going to give up without a fight. Leicestershire were the stronger team on the day, but Cheshire certainly did not give up fighting right through to the end. Leics defended strong and refused to let them through. We scored a final try in the closing minutes to guarantee our spot in the semi’s. FT 34-17.

We now play Eastern Counties away on Sunday 20th May. Venue details TBC.