Bridgnorth women's rugby team flying high

Bridgnorth women's rugby team won the National Challenge Midland 1 title, having gone through the season undefeated.

And now it is launching a project with top flight team Worcester Warriors to attract younger players to the sport.

The club is working in a partnership with Worcester Warriors ruby club to develop the game at a younger level.

It is part of a big rise in the fortunes of women's rugby after England won the World Cup.

Nerys Arch, 41 of the women's team, said: "Rugby is a great game for players of all sizes and the matches are very sociable – we always have a meal with the opposition."

The women's team at Bridgnorth Rugby Club was established in 1998, starting in the Merit League, which involved playing some distant away games.

Mrs Arch said: "Back then there were fewer women's teams, so we had to play away games in places as distant as Norfolk.

"The advancement of the women's game means we don't have to travel so far as there are more teams playing locally and the standard of the game has also improved.

"Midland 1 is just four levels down from the Premiership, which is the highest level, so technically we play at a higher level than the men."

Darel Poole, 28, one of the women's team coaches, has played rugby for the England 'A' team and said the Bridgnorth team has worked very hard to get to where they are.

She said: "Winning should be a product of development, as players improve, the team gets stronger and they win more matches – but enjoying the game remains key.

"In terms of development of the game in England, women's rugby is probably 15-20 years behind women's football.

"But it has a growing profile and we want to create sustainability by bringing young players through the club, that is why the partnership with Worcester Warriors is important."

Lindsey Preston, 27, has recently been appointed captain of the women's team for next season and has been playing the game for nine years.

She said: "I love learning new skills, enjoy the challenge of matches and have made some great friends here.

"The club is thriving at all levels, from minis to seniors, and there is a real buzz about the place at the moment, helped of course by the success of the men's First XV.

"The next game for the women is when we go on tour to Somerset at the end of May, which will be more relaxed than the league fixtures and a great social event."

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