Women’s Rugby dominate Varsity

The Rugby Varsity is always a highly anticipated sporting event, and this year it was no different. The matches took place in the AJ Bell stadium, the home of the Sale Sharks. After two years, Manchester Metropolitan University returned with more to prove than ever before, and the University of Manchester girls were not going to give them an easy game.

The Women’s match was an absolutely cracking game right from the first whistle, and a treat for all the spectators. MMU showed complete determination throughout the match, delivering big hits and keeping our team on their toes. It was clear that both teams wanted the win as much as the other.

But the University of Manchester girls were unstoppable with tries scored by: Olivia Ball, Ruth Dow, Lauren Muddiman, Georgie Palmer, NyamedoHannah Gyamfuaa  Addae-Dapaah, Annie Lyles, Miguela Kerins, Lisa Newman, and Hannah Watson. With some tries more extravagant than others with Ruth Dow’s impressive acrobatic flip over the try line.

The Varsity win was the exact start to the season that the club wanted after the high of winning the league last year. The University Women’s rugby team has gone from strength to strength in the past couple of years. The number of members have doubled from the previous sign ups. The team is very excited for the upcoming season. It clear from the small number of training sessions, we are going to have two excellent teams made up of experienced girls, and girls who are completely new to the sport. It’s a remarkable difference compared to three years ago where the club only had one team.

The success and quality of the Women’s Varsity goes to show the growing interest and support in the sport. The Rugby Federation Union supports both the UoM and MMU teams, and has dedicated a lot of resources in promoting women’s rugby. Along with the success of women in sport such as Women’s hockey winning gold, the women’s football and rugby teams, more girls are wanting to participate and this has been reflected in the sheer growth of our membership.

The club is very exciting for all the challenges that 16/17 season will present. The first team hope to keep the title of league winners, and the second team is looking forward to smashing their league. There could even be a development team in the mix due to the outstanding number of sign ups at the Freshers’ fair and commitment to training the first few weeks. It looks like it is going to be a very exciting season for the University of Manchester Women’s Rugby team! The club has all the league games, and Christie Cup to look forward to.

UMWRFC is a great club to join for any girl that wants to play rugby at whatever level and meet some of the friendliest girls in University Sport. A major aspect of the club is that we do not hold trials. Anyone can join at any point the year. Training starts at the most basic level so everyone bonds as unified team, and the club all trains together. There is no distinction between the 1XV and 2XV teams, or between fresher and old girl. Women’s rugby is a united club.

If anyone is interested in joining the club, there is a University of Manchester Women’s rugby page on facebook. Please feel free to contat the page with any questions that you might have.