England's rugby-playing women fumbled their chance to keep in step with the men when they lost to Scotland for the first time in their version of the Five Nations Championship. The grand slam belongs north of the border, but when England take on Ireland at Worcester on Sunday, they will have an extra incentive to return to winning ways.
It will be England's last competitive match before they begin their defence of the World Cup in Holland next month, when one of the key players will be Emma Mitchell, 31, the Saracens scrum half, who played in both previous tournaments after taking up the game in 1985.
"I started playing when I was at Loughborough University," she said. "I went there as a discus thrower and hockey player, but wanted to try another team sport. Jim Greenwood, who was a British Lion in the 1950s, was a lecturer there and he got involved with the women's team just as I took the game up. I was very lucky not to learn bad habits early on."
With barely half-a-dozen sides playing in England and Wales during the early 1980s, Mitchell found herself propelled into the England set-up. "That happened in my second year of playing and I won my first cap in 1988. I was one of the players - and there are still a few in the present squad - fortunate to become involved just as the sport really took off," she said.
The Sports Council has identified women's rugby as one of the fastest-growing sports in the country over the past decade. There are more than 200 club sides and as many university and youth teams.
Mitchell was among the founder members of Saracens in 1989 and the club has since won three league titles, with a fourth on the horizon, the National Cup and the National Sevens on four occasions. "It's good at the moment," she said, "because we fit alongside the men in that they're going for the premiership and cup double."
Although the men's team has moved to Watford, Mitchell believes the spirit built up at Southgate, their base before their move to Vicarage Road, has been retained. "Nigel Wray (the club owner) is a millionaire who has come into the sport as a true rugby fan. He is very supportive of us because he sees the future of the club as being very family-orientated. The atmosphere is great.
'We've had coaching sessions from Tony Diprose, the men's captain, Greg Bottomon, who is one of the hookers in the squad, and also from Paul Wallace, the British Isles prop. I think they (the men) still see their home as Bramley Road and they're in and out of there every day for training. If we happen to be playing, they come out on the touchline and watch."
Professionalism may have added glamour to the men's game, but, as amateurs, many of the women will be taking time out from their jobs to play for England in May. National Lottery funding has eased the financial burden - Mitchell estimated that it cost her Pounds 2,000 to play last year. "From my point of view, it has been ten years accumulating debt," she said.
As a commissioning editor, signing up academics to write textbooks for the higher education market, Mitchell is more fortunate than most. Her employer, Addison Wesley Longman, the publisher, is one of the few cash sponsors of the women's game, paying Pounds 10,000 to have its name printed on the sleeves of the England shirts.
"They also give me paid leave to play and extended lunch hours so that I can get to the gym and train," she said. "It does make a huge difference because most people use up all their holiday allowance playing for England." If the England players can retain the World Cup, won in Edinburgh in 1994, it will all seem worth it.
Of the 16 nations competing, New Zealand are the favourites, with England, Australia and the United States all capable of running off with the trophy - although Scotland's recent victory has raised some doubts about the England scrum.
"To be honest, France, Scotland, Spain and even Wales, on their day, could upset the whole cart and beat any one of us," Mitchell said. "The main thing is that the game is continuing to grow. There were only 12 sides in the last World Cup and that was the first time the game featured in the sports pages.
" We've only just started to get the recognition that has led to our present level of support. Whatever happens in Holland, that is definitely very exciting."
Copyright (C) The Times, 1998
Source Citation
Potter, Sarah. "Mitchell thrives on textbook technique; Rugby union." Times [London, England] 2 Apr. 1998
Thursday, 2 April 1998
Monday, 23 March 1998
Chalmers gives Scotland World Cup inspiration
Scotland 8 England 5
SCOTLAND, the most improved of the home international sides in women's rugby over the last two years, will go to the World Cup in Holland in May as holders of the grand slam. They will do so thanks to a penalty goal kicked by Paula Chalmers, which earned them victory over England at Inverleith on Saturday, though the slim margin of victory does not indicate Scotland's all-round superiority.
Before the last women's World Cup in 1994, which they hosted, Scotland were among the newest of international contenders, but they have established a side that has now overtaken the two countries dominant in women's rugby in the northern hemisphere for the past 15 years, France and England, whose hopes of a successful defence in Holland of the title that they won in Edinburgh four years ago do not look well-founded.
In an error-strewn match, Scotland dominated the set-pieces, almost claiming a pushover try in the second half against an England side that formerly took pride in emulating the men's side in the power of their scrum.
There is, too, far more kicking in the women's game than used to be the case: it is a skill that they have learned to do well, but Scotland overused it on this occasion, for they had a back division with the legs of England.
They proved that in the first quarter, when Kim Littlejohn looped swiftly to retrieve a dropped ball and rounded the English cover. Yet, before the interval, England had made up for two missed penalty attempts from Gill Burns, Maxine Edwards leading a drive on the left before the backs at last sustained a handling movement to create space for Pip Spivey on the right.
Only ten minutes remained when Chalmers, to the delight of Craig, her distinguished brother, who was among the spectators, kicked the penalty that won the game, leaving England with the game against Ireland at Worcester on April 4 to make hasty repairs to their World Cup defence.
SCORERS: Scotland: Try: Littlejohn (13min). Penalty goal: Chalmers (70). England: Try: Spivey (22).
SCORING SEQUENCE (Scotland first): 5-0, 5-5 (half-time), 8-5.
SCOTLAND: A McGrandles (Leeds); D Fairbairn (Murrayfield Wanderers), P Paterson (Richmond), K Littlejohn (Leeds, captain), M Cave (Saracens); R Lewis (Murrayfield Wanderers), P Chalmers (Murrayfield Wanderers); J Taylor (Edinburgh Academicals; rep: E Allsopp, Murrayfield Wanderers, 53), S Scott (Murrayfield Wanderers), K Findley (Richmond), L Cockburn (Edinburgh Academicals), M McHardy (Murrayfield Wanderers), J Afseth (Edinburgh Academicals), B McLeod (Murrayfield Wanderers), D Kennedy (Leeds).
ENGLAND: P George (Wasps); P Spivey (Clifton), S Day (Wasps), S Harris (Waterloo; rep: S Appleby, Saracens, 70), N Brown (Worcester; rep: J Molyneux, Waterloo, 70); G Pragnell (Wasps), E Mitchell (Saracens); T O'Reilly (Saracens), J Potter (Wasps; rep: J Smith, Wasps, 65), M Edwards (Saracens; rep: A O'Flynn, Waterloo, 65), L Uttley (Wasps), T Siwek (Richmond), J Ross (Saracens; rep: J Chambers, Wasps, 10-14, 38-40), G Stevens (Clifton), G Burns (Waterloo, captain).
Referee: P Sleeman (Wales).
Copyright (C) The Times, 1998
Source Citation
Hands, David. "Chalmers gives Scotland World Cup inspiration; Rugby Union." Times [London, England] 23 Mar. 1998
SCOTLAND, the most improved of the home international sides in women's rugby over the last two years, will go to the World Cup in Holland in May as holders of the grand slam. They will do so thanks to a penalty goal kicked by Paula Chalmers, which earned them victory over England at Inverleith on Saturday, though the slim margin of victory does not indicate Scotland's all-round superiority.
Before the last women's World Cup in 1994, which they hosted, Scotland were among the newest of international contenders, but they have established a side that has now overtaken the two countries dominant in women's rugby in the northern hemisphere for the past 15 years, France and England, whose hopes of a successful defence in Holland of the title that they won in Edinburgh four years ago do not look well-founded.
In an error-strewn match, Scotland dominated the set-pieces, almost claiming a pushover try in the second half against an England side that formerly took pride in emulating the men's side in the power of their scrum.
There is, too, far more kicking in the women's game than used to be the case: it is a skill that they have learned to do well, but Scotland overused it on this occasion, for they had a back division with the legs of England.
They proved that in the first quarter, when Kim Littlejohn looped swiftly to retrieve a dropped ball and rounded the English cover. Yet, before the interval, England had made up for two missed penalty attempts from Gill Burns, Maxine Edwards leading a drive on the left before the backs at last sustained a handling movement to create space for Pip Spivey on the right.
Only ten minutes remained when Chalmers, to the delight of Craig, her distinguished brother, who was among the spectators, kicked the penalty that won the game, leaving England with the game against Ireland at Worcester on April 4 to make hasty repairs to their World Cup defence.
SCORERS: Scotland: Try: Littlejohn (13min). Penalty goal: Chalmers (70). England: Try: Spivey (22).
SCORING SEQUENCE (Scotland first): 5-0, 5-5 (half-time), 8-5.
SCOTLAND: A McGrandles (Leeds); D Fairbairn (Murrayfield Wanderers), P Paterson (Richmond), K Littlejohn (Leeds, captain), M Cave (Saracens); R Lewis (Murrayfield Wanderers), P Chalmers (Murrayfield Wanderers); J Taylor (Edinburgh Academicals; rep: E Allsopp, Murrayfield Wanderers, 53), S Scott (Murrayfield Wanderers), K Findley (Richmond), L Cockburn (Edinburgh Academicals), M McHardy (Murrayfield Wanderers), J Afseth (Edinburgh Academicals), B McLeod (Murrayfield Wanderers), D Kennedy (Leeds).
ENGLAND: P George (Wasps); P Spivey (Clifton), S Day (Wasps), S Harris (Waterloo; rep: S Appleby, Saracens, 70), N Brown (Worcester; rep: J Molyneux, Waterloo, 70); G Pragnell (Wasps), E Mitchell (Saracens); T O'Reilly (Saracens), J Potter (Wasps; rep: J Smith, Wasps, 65), M Edwards (Saracens; rep: A O'Flynn, Waterloo, 65), L Uttley (Wasps), T Siwek (Richmond), J Ross (Saracens; rep: J Chambers, Wasps, 10-14, 38-40), G Stevens (Clifton), G Burns (Waterloo, captain).
Referee: P Sleeman (Wales).
Copyright (C) The Times, 1998
Source Citation
Hands, David. "Chalmers gives Scotland World Cup inspiration; Rugby Union." Times [London, England] 23 Mar. 1998
Sunday, 22 March 1998
Scotland win Grand Slam
Scotland 8 England 5
STRANGE days at Inverleith, the old Edinburgh ground that is steeped in the proud history - and the recent under-achievement - of its home club, Stewart's-Melville. On Friday it played host to a Grand Slam by the Scotland A team and yesterday it provided another for Scotland's women, who completed their clean sweep with this battling win over England. Who says you don't see Scottish Grand Slams every day of the week?
Granted, the opportunity for another this afternoon has already been lost, but even if they were small in number, the crowd at this match could still savour their day. Scotland were not flattered one bit by the scoreline at the end and, from having been among the rabbits of the last Women's World Cup in 1994, they can now go forward to the next tournament, in Holland in May, with confidence soaring. The spirits of England, the world champions, however, are in need of urgent restoration.
Most of England's best attacks were ignited by Emma Mitchell, whose all-round excellence at scrum-half provided a vivid sub-text to the game. Indeed, Mitchell probably kept England in the game during the first half.
Her assuredness was important when Scotland tried to raise the pace after their first try. That arrived in the 12th minute when Linda Uttley knocked-on near her 22 and Scotland were awarded a scrum. Paula Chalmers moved the ball left and although Michelle Cave and Pogo Paterson almost ruined the move with a fumble in midfield, Kim Littlejohn, the Scottish captain, both resuscitated the attack and finished it off, arcing round the defence to the left corner.
With more ball, Scotland might have capitalised further, for there was a wonderful eagerness about their play. England, by contrast, were leaden, and prone to horrible handling lapses all along the three-quarter line. Yet England took their example from Mitchell and the fly-half, Giselle Pragnell, and it was through their composure that they clawed their way back.
More significantly, they also hauled themselves onto the scoreboard before half-time, levelling with a wonderful try. It came in the 32nd minute when a rumbling charge down the left touchline by Maxine Edwards drew in the Scottish defence, Mitchell switched play to the right and a looping move by Pragnell allowed Pip Spivey to sprint in by the flag.
Some people still claim women's rugby is strange spectacle, but the only truly bizarre sight was that of a Scottish scrum destroying English opposition. The Scots spent much of the third quarter camped on England's line, yet despite a clear advantage in the set-piece, they could not quite find the extra ounce of power to surge over.
Indeed, Scotland seemed more sapped by the experience, as England swept back upfield with determination. Gill Burns, however, was spotted stamping in a ruck and, when Scotland grafted their way back into English territory, it was more Burns footwork that again cost England dear. Foolishly, the English No 8 did the deed on her own 22 this time, and Chalmers swept the penalty home.
The kick secured the win for Scotland and secured the status of a sport that has had more than its fair share of detractors in this part of the world. Certainly, you could pick critically at some of the quality of the game, particularly the goal-kicking. But the attitude and spirit of the Scottish side was second to none.
Scotland: A McGrandles; D Fairbairn, P Paterson, K Littlejohn, M Cave; R Lewis, P Chalmers; J Taylor (L Allsopp 52min), S Scott (A McKenzie 40min), K Findlay, L Cockburn, M McHardy, J Afseth, D Kennedy, B McLeod (J Sheerin 40min).
England: P George; P Spivey, S Day, S Harris (S Appleby 71min), N Brown (J Molyneux 71min); G Pragnell, E Mitchell; T O'Reilly, J Potter (J Smith 63min), M Edwards, L Uttley, T Siwek, J Ross, G Burns, G Stevens.
Scorers: Scotland: Try: Littlejohn. Pen: Chalmers.
England: Try: Spivey.
Referee: P Sleeman (Wales).
Copyright (C) The Sunday Times, 1998
Source Citation
Reid, Alasdair. "Scottish women set the scene with Grand Slam victory; Rugby Union." Sunday Times [London, England] 22 Mar. 1998
STRANGE days at Inverleith, the old Edinburgh ground that is steeped in the proud history - and the recent under-achievement - of its home club, Stewart's-Melville. On Friday it played host to a Grand Slam by the Scotland A team and yesterday it provided another for Scotland's women, who completed their clean sweep with this battling win over England. Who says you don't see Scottish Grand Slams every day of the week?
Granted, the opportunity for another this afternoon has already been lost, but even if they were small in number, the crowd at this match could still savour their day. Scotland were not flattered one bit by the scoreline at the end and, from having been among the rabbits of the last Women's World Cup in 1994, they can now go forward to the next tournament, in Holland in May, with confidence soaring. The spirits of England, the world champions, however, are in need of urgent restoration.
Most of England's best attacks were ignited by Emma Mitchell, whose all-round excellence at scrum-half provided a vivid sub-text to the game. Indeed, Mitchell probably kept England in the game during the first half.
Her assuredness was important when Scotland tried to raise the pace after their first try. That arrived in the 12th minute when Linda Uttley knocked-on near her 22 and Scotland were awarded a scrum. Paula Chalmers moved the ball left and although Michelle Cave and Pogo Paterson almost ruined the move with a fumble in midfield, Kim Littlejohn, the Scottish captain, both resuscitated the attack and finished it off, arcing round the defence to the left corner.
With more ball, Scotland might have capitalised further, for there was a wonderful eagerness about their play. England, by contrast, were leaden, and prone to horrible handling lapses all along the three-quarter line. Yet England took their example from Mitchell and the fly-half, Giselle Pragnell, and it was through their composure that they clawed their way back.
More significantly, they also hauled themselves onto the scoreboard before half-time, levelling with a wonderful try. It came in the 32nd minute when a rumbling charge down the left touchline by Maxine Edwards drew in the Scottish defence, Mitchell switched play to the right and a looping move by Pragnell allowed Pip Spivey to sprint in by the flag.
Some people still claim women's rugby is strange spectacle, but the only truly bizarre sight was that of a Scottish scrum destroying English opposition. The Scots spent much of the third quarter camped on England's line, yet despite a clear advantage in the set-piece, they could not quite find the extra ounce of power to surge over.
Indeed, Scotland seemed more sapped by the experience, as England swept back upfield with determination. Gill Burns, however, was spotted stamping in a ruck and, when Scotland grafted their way back into English territory, it was more Burns footwork that again cost England dear. Foolishly, the English No 8 did the deed on her own 22 this time, and Chalmers swept the penalty home.
The kick secured the win for Scotland and secured the status of a sport that has had more than its fair share of detractors in this part of the world. Certainly, you could pick critically at some of the quality of the game, particularly the goal-kicking. But the attitude and spirit of the Scottish side was second to none.
Scotland: A McGrandles; D Fairbairn, P Paterson, K Littlejohn, M Cave; R Lewis, P Chalmers; J Taylor (L Allsopp 52min), S Scott (A McKenzie 40min), K Findlay, L Cockburn, M McHardy, J Afseth, D Kennedy, B McLeod (J Sheerin 40min).
England: P George; P Spivey, S Day, S Harris (S Appleby 71min), N Brown (J Molyneux 71min); G Pragnell, E Mitchell; T O'Reilly, J Potter (J Smith 63min), M Edwards, L Uttley, T Siwek, J Ross, G Burns, G Stevens.
Scorers: Scotland: Try: Littlejohn. Pen: Chalmers.
England: Try: Spivey.
Referee: P Sleeman (Wales).
Copyright (C) The Sunday Times, 1998
Source Citation
Reid, Alasdair. "Scottish women set the scene with Grand Slam victory; Rugby Union." Sunday Times [London, England] 22 Mar. 1998
Scotland v England
Scotland 8 England 5
STRANGE days at Inverleith, the old Edinburgh ground that is steeped in the proud history and the recent under-achievement of its home club, Stewart's Melville. On Friday, it played host to a Grand Slam by the Scotland A team and yesterday it provided another for Scotland's women, who completed their clean sweep with this battling win over England. Who says you don't see Scottish Grand Slams every day of the week?
Granted, the opportunity for another this afternoon has already been lost, but even if they were small in number, the crowd at this match could still savour their day. Scotland were not flattered one bit by the final scoreline and, from having been among the rabbits of the women's World Cup in 1994, they can now go forward to the next tournament, in Holland in May, with confidence soaring. The spirits of England, the reigning world champions, however, need urgent restoration.
Most of England's problems lay in the pack, where they lacked the co-ordination of their opponents. England's best attacks were ignited by Emma Mitchell, whose all-round excellence at scrum-half compensated for failings elsewhere. Not that Julie Potter, her hooker, would have been particularly appreciative when Mitchell's first kick of the game brought both boot and ball thumping into her midriff, but it would be true to say Mitchell probably kept England in the game during the first half.
Her assuredness was important when Scotland tried to raise the pace following their first try. That arrived in the 12th minute when Linda Uttley knocked on near her 22 and Scotland were awarded a scrum. Paula Chalmers moved the ball left and, although Michelle Cave and Pogo Paterson almost ruined the move with a fumble in midfield, Kim Littlejohn, the Scottish captain, both rescucitated the attack and finished it off, arcing around the defence to the left corner.
With more ball, Scotland might have capitalised further, for there was a wonderful eagerness about their play at that stage. England, by contrast, were leaden, and prone to horrible handling lapses all along the three-quarter line. Yet England took their example from Mitchell and fly-half Giselle Pragnell and it was through their composure that they clawed their way back into the game.
More significantly, they also hauled themselves onto the scoreboard before half-time, levelling the scores with a wonderful try. It came in the 32nd minute when a rumbling charge down the left touchline by Maxine Edwards drew in the Scottish defence, Mitchell switched play to the right and a looping move by Pragnell allowed Pip Spivey to sprint over by the right flag.
Yet the prospect of a punishing England effort in the second half quickly receded as England, so wonderfully aggressive when they won their 1994 trophy, seemed seriously short of appetite. Scotland, however, were ravenous. To the verve of Paterson at outside centre they could add the poise of Rimma Lewis, their stand-off. As the game wore on, moreover, it was clear the Scottish pack, and especially their brittle front row, were gaining the upper hand.
Some people still try to claim that women's rugby is a strange spectacle, but the only truly bizarre sight in this match was that of a Scottish scrum destroying English opposition. The Scots spent much of the third quarter camped on England's line, yet despite a clear advantage in the set piece - they also stole some priceless English lineout ball with the glee of the genuinely larcenous - they could not quite find the extra ounce of power to surge over those last few inches.
Indeed, Scotland seemed more sapped by the experience, as England swept back upfield with determination. Their attacks lacked conviction, however, and the Scottish defence picked them off around the fringes with comfortable ease. Then Gill Burns, the English No 8, was spotted stamping in a ruck and, when Scotland grafted their way back into English territory, it was more Burns footwork that again cost England dear. Foolishly, the English player had this time done the deed on her own 22, and Chalmers swept the penalty home.
The kick secured the win for Scotland and secured the status of a sport that has had more than its fair share of detractors in this part of the world. You could pick critically at some of the quality of the game, particularly the goal-kicking which was next-to abject throughout. But the attitude and spirit of the Scottish side was second to none, and when they travel to Holland in two months time they have every right to believe they could earn the same accolade.
Scotland
A McGrandles; D Fairbairn, P Paterson, K Littlejohn, M Cave; R Lewis, P Chalmers; J Taylor (L Allsopp 52min), S Scott (A McKenzie 40min), K Findlay, L Cockburn, M McHardy, J Afseth, D Kennedy, B McLeod (J Sheerin 40min).
England
P George; P Spivey, S Day, S Harris (S Appleby 71min), N Brown (J Molyneux 71min); G Pragnell, E Mitchell; T O'Reilly, J Potter (J Smith 63min), M Edwards, L Uttley, T Siwek, J Ross, G Burns, G Stevens.
Scorers: Littlejohn (T 12min) 5-0; Spivey (T 32min) 5-5; Chalmers (P 69min) 8-5. Referee: P Sleeman (Wales). Attendance: 1,000.
Copyright (C) The Sunday Times, 1998
Source Citation
Reid, Alasdair. "Scots savour grand victory; Rugby Union." Sunday Times [London, England] 22 Mar. 1998
STRANGE days at Inverleith, the old Edinburgh ground that is steeped in the proud history and the recent under-achievement of its home club, Stewart's Melville. On Friday, it played host to a Grand Slam by the Scotland A team and yesterday it provided another for Scotland's women, who completed their clean sweep with this battling win over England. Who says you don't see Scottish Grand Slams every day of the week?
Granted, the opportunity for another this afternoon has already been lost, but even if they were small in number, the crowd at this match could still savour their day. Scotland were not flattered one bit by the final scoreline and, from having been among the rabbits of the women's World Cup in 1994, they can now go forward to the next tournament, in Holland in May, with confidence soaring. The spirits of England, the reigning world champions, however, need urgent restoration.
Most of England's problems lay in the pack, where they lacked the co-ordination of their opponents. England's best attacks were ignited by Emma Mitchell, whose all-round excellence at scrum-half compensated for failings elsewhere. Not that Julie Potter, her hooker, would have been particularly appreciative when Mitchell's first kick of the game brought both boot and ball thumping into her midriff, but it would be true to say Mitchell probably kept England in the game during the first half.
Her assuredness was important when Scotland tried to raise the pace following their first try. That arrived in the 12th minute when Linda Uttley knocked on near her 22 and Scotland were awarded a scrum. Paula Chalmers moved the ball left and, although Michelle Cave and Pogo Paterson almost ruined the move with a fumble in midfield, Kim Littlejohn, the Scottish captain, both rescucitated the attack and finished it off, arcing around the defence to the left corner.
With more ball, Scotland might have capitalised further, for there was a wonderful eagerness about their play at that stage. England, by contrast, were leaden, and prone to horrible handling lapses all along the three-quarter line. Yet England took their example from Mitchell and fly-half Giselle Pragnell and it was through their composure that they clawed their way back into the game.
More significantly, they also hauled themselves onto the scoreboard before half-time, levelling the scores with a wonderful try. It came in the 32nd minute when a rumbling charge down the left touchline by Maxine Edwards drew in the Scottish defence, Mitchell switched play to the right and a looping move by Pragnell allowed Pip Spivey to sprint over by the right flag.
Yet the prospect of a punishing England effort in the second half quickly receded as England, so wonderfully aggressive when they won their 1994 trophy, seemed seriously short of appetite. Scotland, however, were ravenous. To the verve of Paterson at outside centre they could add the poise of Rimma Lewis, their stand-off. As the game wore on, moreover, it was clear the Scottish pack, and especially their brittle front row, were gaining the upper hand.
Some people still try to claim that women's rugby is a strange spectacle, but the only truly bizarre sight in this match was that of a Scottish scrum destroying English opposition. The Scots spent much of the third quarter camped on England's line, yet despite a clear advantage in the set piece - they also stole some priceless English lineout ball with the glee of the genuinely larcenous - they could not quite find the extra ounce of power to surge over those last few inches.
Indeed, Scotland seemed more sapped by the experience, as England swept back upfield with determination. Their attacks lacked conviction, however, and the Scottish defence picked them off around the fringes with comfortable ease. Then Gill Burns, the English No 8, was spotted stamping in a ruck and, when Scotland grafted their way back into English territory, it was more Burns footwork that again cost England dear. Foolishly, the English player had this time done the deed on her own 22, and Chalmers swept the penalty home.
The kick secured the win for Scotland and secured the status of a sport that has had more than its fair share of detractors in this part of the world. You could pick critically at some of the quality of the game, particularly the goal-kicking which was next-to abject throughout. But the attitude and spirit of the Scottish side was second to none, and when they travel to Holland in two months time they have every right to believe they could earn the same accolade.
Scotland
A McGrandles; D Fairbairn, P Paterson, K Littlejohn, M Cave; R Lewis, P Chalmers; J Taylor (L Allsopp 52min), S Scott (A McKenzie 40min), K Findlay, L Cockburn, M McHardy, J Afseth, D Kennedy, B McLeod (J Sheerin 40min).
England
P George; P Spivey, S Day, S Harris (S Appleby 71min), N Brown (J Molyneux 71min); G Pragnell, E Mitchell; T O'Reilly, J Potter (J Smith 63min), M Edwards, L Uttley, T Siwek, J Ross, G Burns, G Stevens.
Scorers: Littlejohn (T 12min) 5-0; Spivey (T 32min) 5-5; Chalmers (P 69min) 8-5. Referee: P Sleeman (Wales). Attendance: 1,000.
Copyright (C) The Sunday Times, 1998
Source Citation
Reid, Alasdair. "Scots savour grand victory; Rugby Union." Sunday Times [London, England] 22 Mar. 1998
Sunday, 7 December 1997
The champions who are the best-kept secret in England
Anyone seeking proof that money and logic are estranged bedfellows in English sport should take a look at women's rugby union. While millions of pounds are routinely pumped into high-profile male events, some of which are little better than lame ducks, one genuine success story remains a ridiculously well-kept secret.
The facts, though, should be screamed from the rooftops. England are the world champions and 8,000 women are turning out regularly for their clubs, always on a Sunday, mind, so as not to clash with men's matches. What's more, the whole operation gets by on a budget of pounds 200,000 - less than the annual salary of many an Allied Dunbar Premiership player.
Amazingly, the Rugby Football Union for Women are quite relaxed about the situation and exude almost a perverse pride at making a little go a long way. However, as England start to build towards their World Cup defence in Amsterdam next May, the current account will feel the strain over the months to come, starting with today's international against Spain in Madrid.
The season continues early next year with games against France, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, and by the time the World Cup is over the RFUW will have good reason to thank their latest sponsor, Swiss Life, for underwriting the England team to the tune of pounds 20,000, with a pounds 10,000 bonus to retain the trophy.
Help from the 10 official suppliers to the England team comes in kind as well as cash and is bewilderingly varied - everything from meat to sports bras. But Rosie Golby, formerly the RFUW's secretary and now president, remembers even more straitened times.
"We were self-funding until 1994 and the players paid for everything - shirts, kit, you name it - even at international level. The girls paid to go to the 1994 World Cup and volunteers are still the sport's lifeblood. But, financially, England are women's rugby's most successful team, although the players and management still contribute to their own travel and accommodation.
"Most players take it up at college and carry on playing when they're working. They train at night, often driving hundreds of miles in the process. Obviously, we can never match the men for raw power but women's rugby is fluent and skilful, and great to watch."
England played their first international, against Wales, 10 years ago but did not really come into their own until 1990 when the Great Britain squad split up into the four home countries. Their first defeat was inflicted by the United States in 1991 but their second, a 15-17 setback against France at Northampton, only happened last February.
Several members of the side which beat the US in the 1994 World Cup final in Edinburgh are still playing, including Nicola Ponsford, who is one of only two full-time RFUW employees. A third national development officer has just been appointed and will work from the RFUW's new office in Newbury - the operation is at present based at de Montfort University in Bedford.
The sport may be in its infancy but the Corinthian spirit which drives it on is a throw back to a bygone era when everything was run exceedingly well by enthusiastic and good-humoured amateurs. Women's rugby may be impoverished but it's fun, and it definitely should not be a secret.
Source Citation
Trow, Paul. "Rugby Union: Riches of the poor relations; Paul Trow looks at the champions who are the best-kept secret in England." Independent on Sunday [London, England] 7 Dec. 1997
The facts, though, should be screamed from the rooftops. England are the world champions and 8,000 women are turning out regularly for their clubs, always on a Sunday, mind, so as not to clash with men's matches. What's more, the whole operation gets by on a budget of pounds 200,000 - less than the annual salary of many an Allied Dunbar Premiership player.
Amazingly, the Rugby Football Union for Women are quite relaxed about the situation and exude almost a perverse pride at making a little go a long way. However, as England start to build towards their World Cup defence in Amsterdam next May, the current account will feel the strain over the months to come, starting with today's international against Spain in Madrid.
The season continues early next year with games against France, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, and by the time the World Cup is over the RFUW will have good reason to thank their latest sponsor, Swiss Life, for underwriting the England team to the tune of pounds 20,000, with a pounds 10,000 bonus to retain the trophy.
Help from the 10 official suppliers to the England team comes in kind as well as cash and is bewilderingly varied - everything from meat to sports bras. But Rosie Golby, formerly the RFUW's secretary and now president, remembers even more straitened times.
"We were self-funding until 1994 and the players paid for everything - shirts, kit, you name it - even at international level. The girls paid to go to the 1994 World Cup and volunteers are still the sport's lifeblood. But, financially, England are women's rugby's most successful team, although the players and management still contribute to their own travel and accommodation.
"Most players take it up at college and carry on playing when they're working. They train at night, often driving hundreds of miles in the process. Obviously, we can never match the men for raw power but women's rugby is fluent and skilful, and great to watch."
England played their first international, against Wales, 10 years ago but did not really come into their own until 1990 when the Great Britain squad split up into the four home countries. Their first defeat was inflicted by the United States in 1991 but their second, a 15-17 setback against France at Northampton, only happened last February.
Several members of the side which beat the US in the 1994 World Cup final in Edinburgh are still playing, including Nicola Ponsford, who is one of only two full-time RFUW employees. A third national development officer has just been appointed and will work from the RFUW's new office in Newbury - the operation is at present based at de Montfort University in Bedford.
The sport may be in its infancy but the Corinthian spirit which drives it on is a throw back to a bygone era when everything was run exceedingly well by enthusiastic and good-humoured amateurs. Women's rugby may be impoverished but it's fun, and it definitely should not be a secret.
Source Citation
Trow, Paul. "Rugby Union: Riches of the poor relations; Paul Trow looks at the champions who are the best-kept secret in England." Independent on Sunday [London, England] 7 Dec. 1997
Sunday, 3 August 1997
England prepare for New Zealand tour
Louise Taylor talks to the England women's rugby union captain as the squad begin a tour of New Zealand
A CHILDHOOD punctuated by plies and demi-plies perfected at the barre of her mother's ballet school has accelerated the adult sporting career of Britain's premier female rugby union player.
Acknowledged as the world's best No 8, Gill Burns is England's captain and highest try-scoring forward. A Formby-based PE teacher, she is also a qualified dancing instructor boasting diplomas in ballet, tap and modern.
"Ballet has improved the rugby because it involves a lot of elevation, enabling me to jump so much further at lineouts," she explained. "It helps with co-ordination and technique too."
The England ensemble Burns is captaining on this month's tour of New Zealand are global champions and she admits being unable to envisage an existence beyond next May's World Cup defence in Holland.
That target now ranks as "my main focus in life" but things were vastly different 10 years ago when the then 23-year-old was persuaded to "give rugby a go". Cynical curiosity turned to addiction and Burns took just 12 months to metamorphose from novice to England debutant.
"My first international was against Sweden at my club, Waterloo and, and in the bar afterwards, a man admitted coming to see 'tits and bums' but, after five minutes, realised he was watching 'a bloody good' game of rugger."
Though strident chauvinism is in recession, she is still aware of discreetly muttered disapproval: "You get some funny comments about women's bodies not being built for contact. There are big impact tackles but no fisticuffs; women haven't got the same macho egos."
Men and women do share similar competitive instincts and Burns is also a UK-ranked shot-putter; although oval-ball commitments dictate that time devoted to athletics is severely curtailed.
Ditto household spending. Playing rugby costs internationals "around Pounds 3,000 a year", determining that England's captain is consequently unable to replace her E-reg Ford Orion which displays 170,000 miles on the clock.
Small wonder that she muses: "It would be great to have a sponsor who would buy us a few train tickets." Instead England are duly grateful to Berlei, providers of sports bras, and Puma, boot suppliers.
A little limelight would be welcome though. As Burns said: "I'll always remember stopping at a service station on the way back from the last World Cup in Edinburgh. The final had been on Grandstand and some men came up and said they'd enjoyed watching. It was nice to be recognised."
What a shame reactionary sponsors and cautious television producers are not disposed to help make it regular.
Copyright (C) The Sunday Times, 1997
Source Citation
Taylor, Louise. "Burns in step and on song; Rugby Union." Sunday Times [London, England] 3 Aug. 1997
A CHILDHOOD punctuated by plies and demi-plies perfected at the barre of her mother's ballet school has accelerated the adult sporting career of Britain's premier female rugby union player.
Acknowledged as the world's best No 8, Gill Burns is England's captain and highest try-scoring forward. A Formby-based PE teacher, she is also a qualified dancing instructor boasting diplomas in ballet, tap and modern.
"Ballet has improved the rugby because it involves a lot of elevation, enabling me to jump so much further at lineouts," she explained. "It helps with co-ordination and technique too."
The England ensemble Burns is captaining on this month's tour of New Zealand are global champions and she admits being unable to envisage an existence beyond next May's World Cup defence in Holland.
That target now ranks as "my main focus in life" but things were vastly different 10 years ago when the then 23-year-old was persuaded to "give rugby a go". Cynical curiosity turned to addiction and Burns took just 12 months to metamorphose from novice to England debutant.
"My first international was against Sweden at my club, Waterloo and, and in the bar afterwards, a man admitted coming to see 'tits and bums' but, after five minutes, realised he was watching 'a bloody good' game of rugger."
Though strident chauvinism is in recession, she is still aware of discreetly muttered disapproval: "You get some funny comments about women's bodies not being built for contact. There are big impact tackles but no fisticuffs; women haven't got the same macho egos."
Men and women do share similar competitive instincts and Burns is also a UK-ranked shot-putter; although oval-ball commitments dictate that time devoted to athletics is severely curtailed.
Ditto household spending. Playing rugby costs internationals "around Pounds 3,000 a year", determining that England's captain is consequently unable to replace her E-reg Ford Orion which displays 170,000 miles on the clock.
Small wonder that she muses: "It would be great to have a sponsor who would buy us a few train tickets." Instead England are duly grateful to Berlei, providers of sports bras, and Puma, boot suppliers.
A little limelight would be welcome though. As Burns said: "I'll always remember stopping at a service station on the way back from the last World Cup in Edinburgh. The final had been on Grandstand and some men came up and said they'd enjoyed watching. It was nice to be recognised."
What a shame reactionary sponsors and cautious television producers are not disposed to help make it regular.
Copyright (C) The Sunday Times, 1997
Source Citation
Taylor, Louise. "Burns in step and on song; Rugby Union." Sunday Times [London, England] 3 Aug. 1997
Monday, 20 January 1997
England v Scotland: preview
After seeing a women's rugby match Christian Dymond says England v Scotland will be a cracker.
If my experience is anything to go by, the women's rugby international between England and Scotland next weekend should be a cracker.
England women's team are the world champions and Scotland lost the fixture only 12-8 last year. The match takes place at Blackheath on Sunday and is preceded by a game between the two national women's A sides.
With England men's poor performance against Argentina still relatively fresh in my memory, I travelled to the outskirts of Newcastle upon Tyne to watch the women of Blaydon Barracudas entertain the might of Wharfedale.
This was by no means the top flight of women's rugby - Blaydon and Wharfedale are in the northern league of the third division - but both sides clearly had ambitions to take the game to each other in an entertaining and open way.
Blaydon Barracudas were also looking to improve their performance after their defeat in Yorkshire a few weeks before, and early evidence suggested enough bite to rattle the visitors. Scrummaging looked pretty solid, there was clean ball from the lineout and after five minutes Elizabeth Simpson, their nippy wing, should have gone over for a try but the final pass was way off target.
Gradually, though, Wharfedale got a grip on the game, their backs attacking with greater brio while their forwards seemed far more mobile around the pitch. By half-time they were leading 10-0. This increased to 20-0 before Blaydon replied with their solitary try. This galvanised them but only briefly, and, as they ran out of steam, so Wharfedale ran them ragged, the final result being 46-5.
It did emerge later that Blaydon had been decimated by sickness and had taken the field with two players who had never before experienced a full game.
Five of the eight Wharfedale tries were scored by one of the centres, which was indicative both of the way the match was played and of the way that women generally approach the game. Points from penal ties were conspicuous by their absence.
The match certainly impressed Tom Sarginson, 17, one of about 30 spectators hugging the touchline. A rugby player who had never watched a women's game, he said: "It was extremely entertaining, much better than I thought it was going to be. A lot of the tackling was excellent and there were some good moves and great handling skills."
The 30 players on the pitch at Blaydon were some of the 12,000 to 15,000 women who now play rugby in the British Isles. In the past few years the game has grown from 12 teams in 1983 to about 270 clubs, some with two or three sides. Rules are the same as for men.
Rugby generally has a higher profile and the growth in the women's game owes a lot to that. There is also the fact that England women won the World Cup in 1994, as I was told by Rosie Golby, the president of the Rugby Foot ball Union for Women, the governing body for the game in England.
A player for 13 years, she turns out as scrum half or centre for Old Leamingtonians in Leamington Spa. "I play because it's a team sport and a contact sport and because I enjoy it," she said. "I can't kick, so, when I do, everyone around me cheers," The side trains twice a week.
Blaydon Barracudas, formerly known as Northern Ladies, also trains twice a week. Tuesday night is for scrummaging, passing and practising set-piece moves; Wednesday evening is primarily for fitness.
Their 25-women squad ranges in age from a 17-year-old who is still at school to a 32-year-old mother of two. The captain and No 8 is Helen Greenwell, 28, one of three policewomen in the side. Many of the others are students. It is Greenwell's second season of rugby, although she had previously been a rower for ten years.
"I've always enjoyed watching the game, but a friend who started playing inspired me to take it up," she said. "Rugby's a good team sport and I think you can enjoy it at whatever level of fitness you are. It also makes for an enjoyable Sunday afternoon." Women's rugby is almost always played on a Sunday, otherwise there might be a clash of pitch and changing facilities with the men.
Three quarters of an hour before the kick-off against Wharfedale, Blaydon Barracudas were out on the field going through leg and arm exercises with Andy Ellis, their physiotherapist; 20 minutes later, having been split up into backs and forwards, they rehearsed moves with Tom Gilmour and Rob Thomson, their coaches.
"Some of the squad are very fit," Ellis said. "Others have come to the game with a basic level of fitness but with a good degree of strength and determination which we hope to build on. Fitness sometimes takes second place to the learning of the game because rugby is new to them."
HOW TO JOIN IN
THE women who play rugby at Blaydon pay a Pounds 20 subscription for the season and a Pounds 1.50 match fee. The social side is strong with evenings out and dances at the extremely impressive new Pounds 1.1 million clubhouse.
In wider terms, women's rugby is organised in national leagues: first and second divisions (Saracens, Richmond, Wasps and Leeds being four of the strongest sides), a third division with four regional leagues (North, Midlands, South East and South West), and fourth and fifth divisions with eight regional leagues apiece.
There is a sixth division which has leagues for new clubs and there are also knock-out cup competitions. A national development officer, Nicola Ponsford, was appointed last September, this is apparently women's rugby's first salaried post.
Last season saw the first home nations' championship involving teams from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. In March, after the 1997 championship, England will participate in the first women's seven-a-side tournament in Hong Kong.
* For more information on women's rugby contact: 01635 278177.
* For more information on Blaydon Barracudas contact: 0191-371 9901.
Blackheath on January 26: England A v Scotland A: kick-off, noon; England v Scotland: kick-off 2pm. Tickets: Pounds 5.
Copyright (C) The Times, 1997
Source Citation
Dymond, Christian. "A great way to spend a Sunday; Sport for All." Times [London, England] 20 Jan. 1997
If my experience is anything to go by, the women's rugby international between England and Scotland next weekend should be a cracker.
England women's team are the world champions and Scotland lost the fixture only 12-8 last year. The match takes place at Blackheath on Sunday and is preceded by a game between the two national women's A sides.
With England men's poor performance against Argentina still relatively fresh in my memory, I travelled to the outskirts of Newcastle upon Tyne to watch the women of Blaydon Barracudas entertain the might of Wharfedale.
This was by no means the top flight of women's rugby - Blaydon and Wharfedale are in the northern league of the third division - but both sides clearly had ambitions to take the game to each other in an entertaining and open way.
Blaydon Barracudas were also looking to improve their performance after their defeat in Yorkshire a few weeks before, and early evidence suggested enough bite to rattle the visitors. Scrummaging looked pretty solid, there was clean ball from the lineout and after five minutes Elizabeth Simpson, their nippy wing, should have gone over for a try but the final pass was way off target.
Gradually, though, Wharfedale got a grip on the game, their backs attacking with greater brio while their forwards seemed far more mobile around the pitch. By half-time they were leading 10-0. This increased to 20-0 before Blaydon replied with their solitary try. This galvanised them but only briefly, and, as they ran out of steam, so Wharfedale ran them ragged, the final result being 46-5.
It did emerge later that Blaydon had been decimated by sickness and had taken the field with two players who had never before experienced a full game.
Five of the eight Wharfedale tries were scored by one of the centres, which was indicative both of the way the match was played and of the way that women generally approach the game. Points from penal ties were conspicuous by their absence.
The match certainly impressed Tom Sarginson, 17, one of about 30 spectators hugging the touchline. A rugby player who had never watched a women's game, he said: "It was extremely entertaining, much better than I thought it was going to be. A lot of the tackling was excellent and there were some good moves and great handling skills."
The 30 players on the pitch at Blaydon were some of the 12,000 to 15,000 women who now play rugby in the British Isles. In the past few years the game has grown from 12 teams in 1983 to about 270 clubs, some with two or three sides. Rules are the same as for men.
Rugby generally has a higher profile and the growth in the women's game owes a lot to that. There is also the fact that England women won the World Cup in 1994, as I was told by Rosie Golby, the president of the Rugby Foot ball Union for Women, the governing body for the game in England.
A player for 13 years, she turns out as scrum half or centre for Old Leamingtonians in Leamington Spa. "I play because it's a team sport and a contact sport and because I enjoy it," she said. "I can't kick, so, when I do, everyone around me cheers," The side trains twice a week.
Blaydon Barracudas, formerly known as Northern Ladies, also trains twice a week. Tuesday night is for scrummaging, passing and practising set-piece moves; Wednesday evening is primarily for fitness.
Their 25-women squad ranges in age from a 17-year-old who is still at school to a 32-year-old mother of two. The captain and No 8 is Helen Greenwell, 28, one of three policewomen in the side. Many of the others are students. It is Greenwell's second season of rugby, although she had previously been a rower for ten years.
"I've always enjoyed watching the game, but a friend who started playing inspired me to take it up," she said. "Rugby's a good team sport and I think you can enjoy it at whatever level of fitness you are. It also makes for an enjoyable Sunday afternoon." Women's rugby is almost always played on a Sunday, otherwise there might be a clash of pitch and changing facilities with the men.
Three quarters of an hour before the kick-off against Wharfedale, Blaydon Barracudas were out on the field going through leg and arm exercises with Andy Ellis, their physiotherapist; 20 minutes later, having been split up into backs and forwards, they rehearsed moves with Tom Gilmour and Rob Thomson, their coaches.
"Some of the squad are very fit," Ellis said. "Others have come to the game with a basic level of fitness but with a good degree of strength and determination which we hope to build on. Fitness sometimes takes second place to the learning of the game because rugby is new to them."
HOW TO JOIN IN
THE women who play rugby at Blaydon pay a Pounds 20 subscription for the season and a Pounds 1.50 match fee. The social side is strong with evenings out and dances at the extremely impressive new Pounds 1.1 million clubhouse.
In wider terms, women's rugby is organised in national leagues: first and second divisions (Saracens, Richmond, Wasps and Leeds being four of the strongest sides), a third division with four regional leagues (North, Midlands, South East and South West), and fourth and fifth divisions with eight regional leagues apiece.
There is a sixth division which has leagues for new clubs and there are also knock-out cup competitions. A national development officer, Nicola Ponsford, was appointed last September, this is apparently women's rugby's first salaried post.
Last season saw the first home nations' championship involving teams from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. In March, after the 1997 championship, England will participate in the first women's seven-a-side tournament in Hong Kong.
* For more information on women's rugby contact: 01635 278177.
* For more information on Blaydon Barracudas contact: 0191-371 9901.
Blackheath on January 26: England A v Scotland A: kick-off, noon; England v Scotland: kick-off 2pm. Tickets: Pounds 5.
Copyright (C) The Times, 1997
Source Citation
Dymond, Christian. "A great way to spend a Sunday; Sport for All." Times [London, England] 20 Jan. 1997
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