Great Britain v Netherlands: preview

Great Britain women's rugby team will step out onto Richmond Athletic ground tomorrow afternoon looking for their first victory in international arena when they face The Netherlands. The majority of the team is drawn from the two alondon clubs, Wasps and Richmond. Copyright (C) The Times, 1987

Source Citation
"Sport in Brief: Crucial game; Rugby." Times [London, England] 21 Nov. 1987

Sweet fifteen.

SIMON BARNES

As the new rugby season gets into its stride, one of the quietest revolutions in sport continues. We all know about the meteoric rise of American football as a participant sport in Britain - but women's rugby has been growing just as quickly. At the end of the 1985 season there were 12 clubs; now there are 52, in two divisions. Some put up two teams a week, and a few, like Richmond, 'we are just as committed as the men. When we make a tackle, we mean it. But our game is less violent.' The women's game is mostly about running, and kicking is a decided weakness. 'Girls are not brought up to kick from the age of four,' said Miss Watkins, 'but we're getting there.' And the men's attitude? 'Naturally a lot of them are pretty suspicious of us but each club has enough people who are truly sympathetic and who make it work.' Copyright (C) The Times, 1987

Source Citation
"Sporting Diary: Sweet fifteen." Times [London, England] 26 Sept. 1987

First national sevens tournament in England

More than 150 women players will take part in the first Women's Rugby Union national sevens tournament at Windsor Home Park tomorrow, competition coming from 22 clubs. Copyright (C) The Times, 1987

Source Citation
"Rugby Union: England put off payments decision." Times [London, England] 25 Apr. 1987

FIRST Breaking down the barriers.

DAVID HANDS

Sheila Walsh, a founder member of the Women's Rugby Football Union four years ago, presented Wasps with the club championship shield after their 19-0 victory over Richmond, although clearly the main enjoyment was playing at Twickenham (David Hands writes).

The game was played across the field rather than up and down and Wasps may also have achieved another first, when Karen Almond's conversion was deflected over the bar by the charging Sue Butler.

SCORERS: Wasps: Tries: Skyes, Treadwell, Penalty try, Conversions: Almond (2) Penalty: Almond. Copyright (C) The Times, 1987

Source Citation
"Rugby Union: FIRST Breaking down the barriers." Times [London, England] 13 Apr. 1987

First women's match at Twickenham: report

WASPS became the first winners of the women's rugby club championship when they beat Richmond 19-0 at Twickenham. Fly-half Karen Almond showed herself to be on of the most gifted players around, as her side scored tries through Heather Sykes, Sally Treadwell and Collected a penalty try. Almond converted two and also kicked a penalty.

Victorious skipper Sue Bennett said: 'It was a big breakthrough for us. This should encourage a lot more girls to play rugby and keep the standard improving. '

Source Citation
"Rugby Round-up." Sunday Times [London, England] 12 Apr. 1987.

First women's match at Twickenham: announcement

The first women's Rugby Union match to be played at Twickenham, the WRFU Cup final, will be refereed by the Rev Roger Parker, of Staffordshire. The Richmond Ladies v Wasps contest will precede the men's County Championship final on Saturday.

Source Citation
"Sport In Brief: Women's final; Rugby Union." Times [London, England] 7 Apr. 1987

First women's match at Twickenham: announcement

THE LAST bastion of male chauvinism crumbles on April 11 when a full-blooded women's rugby match will be played at Twickenham. The Women's RFU will be holding their club championship final as a curtain raiser to the county championship final.

Source Citation
"Rugby Round-up." Sunday Times [London, England] 1 Mar. 1987.