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From Rugby Union Novices to Lancashire Success in just 5 short months. Orrell RUFC are delighted to announce that Orrell RUFC Girls were successful in the recent Lancashire trials and will now start training for the county this Sunday.
Amelia, Eva, Emma and Katie, U15s squad, together with Molly* from our Orrell RUFC Touch Squad, have all been selected to represent Lancashire county.
Sunday 2nd February was a big day for Orrell Girls U15s, the Lancashire Trials. 8 girls were entered from Orrell, all nervously excited to see where this new path would lead. The girls have come a long way since their formation in September 2019. They are all very talented young ladies with impressive ball handling skills, not afraid to make big tackles stopping the opposition in their tracks. Under the guidance and encouragement from the girl’s section coaches Paula Boyham and Philip Derbyshire, with the tactical field game the girls show, it was only natural that they were given the opportunity to attend.
With over 100 players taking part in the trails, competition for a place was tight and all our girls were split into different groups to their team mates – just so the Lancashire coaching staff had an opportunity to see how the girls worked with those they would normally play against and their ability to gel as a team. Our girls did not disappoint!
Skills section next and again our girls did not disappoint even encouraging other players to move to open spaces, mark their opposition, hand position and lifting techniques for the line out – a great show of leadership and team spirit from our Orrell RUFC Girls.
Following the skill stations the girls then played 1x15min full contact game of rugby. Despite the cold, the dark (the floodlights were on) and a cold wintery shower to contend with, our girls still put on a great show of strength, speed and tactical ability – giving their very best to the bitter end.
Not 24hrs had passed when the good news started to filter through. 4 girls from Orrell RUFC had been selected to represent the club at Lancashire. An amazing achievement for all those involved in getting the section up and running.
On behalf of Orrell RUFC we’d like to say a huge thank you to our Director of Rugby, Paul Wingfield, the coaching staff of Paula Boyham, Lyndsey Derbyshire and Phil Derbyshire for their dedication and support of the Girls Squad. Together with parents who have supported their daughters through the journey and the girls, themselves – this is the game of Rugby Union at it’s very best!
If you are interested in coming along and trying rugby union – ladies of any age, skill and fitness are welcome to come along on a Wednesday evening at the Dr1ve Medicals Arena, St John Rigby College or contact the Team Manager Lynsey Derbyshire on 07411 369127 or email: Lynsey.derbyshire@nhs.net
*Another great example of how playing rugby in any form can help build confidence and skills. Molly came to Orrell RUFC Touch from Ormskirk (where she plays) to help build her confidence and improve her rugby skills, which in a few short months grew from strength to strength. From training with Orrell Touch Molly went on to represent NW Touch 18s and winter gold medal at nationals in August. And went on to play league at OSJ, Union at Ormskirk/ Orrell. Orrell RUFC is delighted to have played a small part in Molly’s success and even more pleased that she still comes to training on Tuesday and Fridays.
Touch is the fasted grow sport on the world and if you are interested in coming along and having a go, then come down to the Dr1ve Medicals Arena at St John Rigby College.
Touch Rugby: Tuesday/Thursday/Friday 6.00pm onwards