It was the weekend we had all been waiting for. Our county ladies had played and won all of their qualifying matches to meet Essex in the Gill Burns County Championship Division 2 final at Richmond, and our men also played and won all their matches to meet Hampshire in their final of the Bill Beaumont County Championship Division 2 at Twickenham.
The ladies had an early start with their match kicking off at 10am following a minutes silence in respect of those that lost their lives in Manchester earlier in the week. It was a tough match for Leicestershire who were 22-12 down at half -time. But they didn’t give up and went into the second half fighting and taking full advantage over Essex who were reduced to 14 players. Leicestershire came out on top with a final penalty from Maria Crowfoot and winning 32-29. Tries from Ofure Ugiagbe (x2), Daphne Fromes, Danielle Allen Solly (C) and Laura Turner. 2 conversions and 1 penalty from Maria Crowfoot. The county become the first winners of the inaugural second tier final in the newly renamed Gill Burns County Championship.
This has been an amazing season for our county ladies, reaching the final in itself is wonderful and win it is a fantastic achievement. Each and every player should be very proud along with all the coaching and support team. Tom Kilburn, Head Coach says,
Our team spirit has been fantastic throughout the campaign thank you to all the supporters and teammates that have got behind the team. Today we may have gone behind on the scoreboard but we dominated them from the first minute until the last in every aspect of the game.
Read the full report from England Rugby here
With the ladies match in the bag, it was on to the men’s final at Twickenham Stadium, KO 5.15pm.
Leicestershire dominated from the start with a try from Callum Dacey 10 minutes in, but only led 8-0 at half time. The second half came, and so did the rain, and Leicestershire were full steam ahead scoring try after try, even with a 14 man team at one point, to finish the match 39 – 7. Tries came from Callum Dacey, David Peck, William Cave and two from Calum Gunn. Conversions and penalties from the boot of Ricky Aley.
Read the full report from England Rugby here 
Leicestershire Rugby Union President, Brian Hesford comments
Wonderful day for Leicestershire rugby to see both teams go through their campaign undefeated. The quality of the rugby played by the men’s team during the pool stages and in the final was superb. They played to their strengths and to a plan which worked well for them. The ladies never gave up and their wonderful comeback in the second half of the final showed what a belief they had in each other. Many congratulations to both teams, their coaches and support staff. Thank you for a very special day in the counties history.
As ever, thanks to Ian Palfreyman for the photo’s. More can be viewed on his website where you can also contact him for any copies. Please login using the word ‘twickers’ to view the albums.
We will also be adding images to our Facebook page over the next few days as and when we receive them. Please like and share the page. If you have any images you would like adding, please email them to press@leicestershirerugbyunion.co.uk. We would love to see you pictures from the whole day!