ENGLAND face New Zealand today in the final of the Women's Rugby World Cup in Barcelona confident they have the gameplan to win the trophy.
They reached the final by beating Canada 53-10 on Tuesday, a win that gave them good reason to feel optimistic.
Captain Paula George said: "We will need to step up another gear to win. After all, they are the reigning world champions."
Coach Geoff Richards said: "We've got a plan of attack and we are confident in that, and that in the end it will come good."
Ruck & Roll: Mr Motivator Richards keeps women on top
SVEN Goran Eriksson could learn the art of the World Cup campaign from his counterpart with the England women's rugby team. Today Aussie Geoff Richards leads England into battle in Spain in the Women's Rugby World Cup final against favourites New Zealand. Last year he shared the award as UK sports coach of the year with Eriksson.
The Mirror (London, England) (May 25, 2002): p67
Showing posts with label Women's Rugby Football Union. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Women's Rugby Football Union. Show all posts
Saturday, 25 May 2002
Findlay aims to lay down law in play-off
Lewis Stuart
SCOTLAND hope that their captain's fiftieth cap will be the good-luck omen that will take them to fifth place in the Women's Rugby World Cup in Barcelona. Karen Findlay, the London police officer who leads them, reaches the landmark today when the team play Australia.
It is a repeat of the fifth/sixth place play-off in the 1998 World Cup, which Australia won, but a match that Scotland know they are capable of winning if they play to form. They would match their best finish in the competition, achieved in 1994, if they win, and will at least have lived up to their seeding. The Scots have been forced into two changes with Sarah Higgins, the full back, and Angela Hutt, the wing, picking up injuries in the win over Spain. They are replaced by Alison McGrandles and Jen Dickson, but should not be much weakened. Both could consider themselves unlucky not to be there in the first place.
For the final against New Zealand, England have left Gill Burns, their in-form and legendary No 8, among the replacements. Burns, 37, has played in all four World Cups and was England's star performer in their impressive 53-10 semi-final win over Canada on Tuesday. The final will be Burns's final top-level outing before she retires but she may not get on the field. Geoff Richards, England's head coach, instead will start with Claire Frost, from Saracens, at the back of the scrum. Frost is one of eight changes to the starting team that defeated Canada.
She will form a new-look loose-forward combination with Georgia Stevens, who will play in the less familiar openside flank position, while Jenny Phillips, who has recovered from a stomach bug, will take her place on the blindside.
SCOTLAND: A McGrandles; G Gibbon, V MacDonald, R Petlevannaia, J Dickson; D Fairbairn, P Chalmers; K Findlay, V Wiseman, A Christie, L Cockburn, C Muir, B Macleod, D Kennedy, F Gillanders. Replacements: A McKenzie, V Galbraith, J Hanley, L O'Keefe, J Sheerin, M-P Tierney, R Shepherd.
The Times (London, England) (May 25, 2002): p37
SCOTLAND hope that their captain's fiftieth cap will be the good-luck omen that will take them to fifth place in the Women's Rugby World Cup in Barcelona. Karen Findlay, the London police officer who leads them, reaches the landmark today when the team play Australia.
It is a repeat of the fifth/sixth place play-off in the 1998 World Cup, which Australia won, but a match that Scotland know they are capable of winning if they play to form. They would match their best finish in the competition, achieved in 1994, if they win, and will at least have lived up to their seeding. The Scots have been forced into two changes with Sarah Higgins, the full back, and Angela Hutt, the wing, picking up injuries in the win over Spain. They are replaced by Alison McGrandles and Jen Dickson, but should not be much weakened. Both could consider themselves unlucky not to be there in the first place.
For the final against New Zealand, England have left Gill Burns, their in-form and legendary No 8, among the replacements. Burns, 37, has played in all four World Cups and was England's star performer in their impressive 53-10 semi-final win over Canada on Tuesday. The final will be Burns's final top-level outing before she retires but she may not get on the field. Geoff Richards, England's head coach, instead will start with Claire Frost, from Saracens, at the back of the scrum. Frost is one of eight changes to the starting team that defeated Canada.
She will form a new-look loose-forward combination with Georgia Stevens, who will play in the less familiar openside flank position, while Jenny Phillips, who has recovered from a stomach bug, will take her place on the blindside.
SCOTLAND: A McGrandles; G Gibbon, V MacDonald, R Petlevannaia, J Dickson; D Fairbairn, P Chalmers; K Findlay, V Wiseman, A Christie, L Cockburn, C Muir, B Macleod, D Kennedy, F Gillanders. Replacements: A McKenzie, V Galbraith, J Hanley, L O'Keefe, J Sheerin, M-P Tierney, R Shepherd.
The Times (London, England) (May 25, 2002): p37
Monday, 20 May 2002
Kiwi trailblazers pack a potent punch
WOMEN rugby players have often looked tough, but mostly it was an illusion. All sweatbands but no sweat, to borrow Colin Meads's dismissive phrase for one England pack. Women can clearly run and pass - quite superbly in the case of the 1998 New Zealand girls - but their game often lacked the satisfying impact and collisions that sets rugby apart from other sports. Rugby, yes, but not as we know it.
Things change, however. The defining feature of the 1998 tournament in Amsterdam was the pace and sheer athleticism of the New Zealand girls, whose "play book" was exactly the same as their senior male All Blacks counterparts. They catapulted the women's game forward about two decades and to contain their virtuosity teams across the world have had to concentrate on defence and aggressive tackling.
So it has been getting very physical under the hot Catalan sun. Tempers have occasionally flared, players have been sent off and the tournament littered with yellow cards. Samoa - making their first appearance on the women's rugby scene - clashed mightily against Scotland and two players were dismissed, but
the biggest collision of all was Australia's clash with New Zealand on Saturday. There is no love lost between these two rugby nations and it showed. The result was probably the most intense, full-on physical confrontation the women's game has seen.
It was not dirty, just brutal. The smaller Aussies were outgunned in every department except courage. Big hits, now obligatory rather than simply desirable, were reeled off. The mother of all tackles came from full-back Bronwyn Laidlaw, who hit Tammi Wilson with such force to save one certain try that you feared for both girls. To their mutual surprise they got up,
gingerly, dusted themselves off and stared with new-found respect and awe at each other. They were still comparing notes about "the tackle" hours after the game.
The dam eventually burst late in the second half and New Zealand ran out 36-3 winners, poor reward for the brave Australians who received no favours from the referee. Their approach and courage was repeated in the next game when hosts Spain, heading for a heavy defeat on known form, took England to the limit.
The Spanish were pumped up by a noisy home crowd and highly motivated after a minute's silence for the father of their lock, Marish Rus, who had died two days earlier. His daughter, after wiping away the tears, had the game of her life, as did her colleagues. Mighty England, the only team thought capable of challenging New Zealand, found themselves in a dogfight and didn't like it. They trailed 5-0 at half-time to a try by Spain wing Isabel Perez and only two tries after the break by Nicky Jupp and wing Nicola Crawford, salvaged a 13-5 win.
England now play Canada, 11-0 winners over the fiesty Scots, in their semi-final tomorrow, while the French are next in the firing line against New Zealand.
"We were very nervous and poor, just as we were against Italy in our first game," admitted England captain Paula George. "Our hope now is that we can settle down and produce our best form. A decent performance must be just around the corner. We've trained well, the draw has been kind to us, there are no excuses really. We just need to make it happen."
The much anticipated New Zealand-England final at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday is still a probability. If so, it will be the last game in charge for Kiwi coach Darryl Suasua, who is seeking a National Provincial Championship contract after seven years with the girls.
"It's been a pleasure and a privilege and there's plenty the women can teach the guys," said Suasua, who coaches the Marist club in Auckland. "Firstly, discipline - generally they are much better. Secondly, attention to detail and work ethic. When I
introduce a new play or strategy,
they listen, absorb and execute.
"If I try the same with a guys' team, there's a think-tank of senior players mulling it all over and picking the bones out of it before it is accepted. And thirdly, fun. They always enjoy their rugby."
Daily Telegraph (London, England) (May 20, 2002): p09
Things change, however. The defining feature of the 1998 tournament in Amsterdam was the pace and sheer athleticism of the New Zealand girls, whose "play book" was exactly the same as their senior male All Blacks counterparts. They catapulted the women's game forward about two decades and to contain their virtuosity teams across the world have had to concentrate on defence and aggressive tackling.
So it has been getting very physical under the hot Catalan sun. Tempers have occasionally flared, players have been sent off and the tournament littered with yellow cards. Samoa - making their first appearance on the women's rugby scene - clashed mightily against Scotland and two players were dismissed, but
the biggest collision of all was Australia's clash with New Zealand on Saturday. There is no love lost between these two rugby nations and it showed. The result was probably the most intense, full-on physical confrontation the women's game has seen.
It was not dirty, just brutal. The smaller Aussies were outgunned in every department except courage. Big hits, now obligatory rather than simply desirable, were reeled off. The mother of all tackles came from full-back Bronwyn Laidlaw, who hit Tammi Wilson with such force to save one certain try that you feared for both girls. To their mutual surprise they got up,
gingerly, dusted themselves off and stared with new-found respect and awe at each other. They were still comparing notes about "the tackle" hours after the game.
The dam eventually burst late in the second half and New Zealand ran out 36-3 winners, poor reward for the brave Australians who received no favours from the referee. Their approach and courage was repeated in the next game when hosts Spain, heading for a heavy defeat on known form, took England to the limit.
The Spanish were pumped up by a noisy home crowd and highly motivated after a minute's silence for the father of their lock, Marish Rus, who had died two days earlier. His daughter, after wiping away the tears, had the game of her life, as did her colleagues. Mighty England, the only team thought capable of challenging New Zealand, found themselves in a dogfight and didn't like it. They trailed 5-0 at half-time to a try by Spain wing Isabel Perez and only two tries after the break by Nicky Jupp and wing Nicola Crawford, salvaged a 13-5 win.
England now play Canada, 11-0 winners over the fiesty Scots, in their semi-final tomorrow, while the French are next in the firing line against New Zealand.
"We were very nervous and poor, just as we were against Italy in our first game," admitted England captain Paula George. "Our hope now is that we can settle down and produce our best form. A decent performance must be just around the corner. We've trained well, the draw has been kind to us, there are no excuses really. We just need to make it happen."
The much anticipated New Zealand-England final at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday is still a probability. If so, it will be the last game in charge for Kiwi coach Darryl Suasua, who is seeking a National Provincial Championship contract after seven years with the girls.
"It's been a pleasure and a privilege and there's plenty the women can teach the guys," said Suasua, who coaches the Marist club in Auckland. "Firstly, discipline - generally they are much better. Secondly, attention to detail and work ethic. When I
introduce a new play or strategy,
they listen, absorb and execute.
"If I try the same with a guys' team, there's a think-tank of senior players mulling it all over and picking the bones out of it before it is accepted. And thirdly, fun. They always enjoy their rugby."
Daily Telegraph (London, England) (May 20, 2002): p09
Sunday, 19 May 2002
England survive Spanish fright to reach last four
England survived a major scare to qualify for the semi-finals of the Women's Rugby World Cup in Barcelona with a hard-fought 13-5 victory over the host nation, Spain.
For much of yesterday's quarter-final, the Spaniards had high hopes of reaching the last four and led 5-0 at half-time. But a rousing dressing- room speech at the interval by the England coach, Geoff Richards, injected a sense of urgency which bore fruit in the form of two tries within 10 minutes of the restart.
Earlier, it had taken nearly half an hour for the first points to be recorded when the Spanish wing Isabel Perez darted through a gap to score an unconverted try. Then, despite heavy English pressure just before the interval, the home defence refused to bend.
England, unused to being outplayed by one of the lesser rugby nations, finally got on to the scoresheet when centre Nicky Jupp crossed the Spanish line in the 46th minute. Four minutes later, right-wing Nicola Crawford found the space she needed to dot down in the corner and give England a 10-3 lead.
Five points was too small a margin as Spain again applied the pressure, but in the 53rd minute Shelly Rae, a normally dependable kicker who had missed two conversion attempts, at last found the target with a penalty which put England two scores ahead.
The results meant that England have now qualified for Tuesday's semi- finals, though the news wasn't as good for Scotland who were beaten 11- 0 by Canada, who reached the last four. Canada had lead 3-0 at the interval.
As the reseeding process is based on the number of tries scored, it is possible that England might have to face the favourites and defending champions, New Zealand, who yesterday thrashed Australia 36-3. The Black Ferns dominated both territory and possession, and it took a fine defensive performance from the Wallaroos to avoid a heavier defeat. The try of the game came in the second half when substitute Helen Vaaga found a hole in a maul before fending off three would-be tacklers to score.
The USA failed to reach their fourth consecutive World Cup final when they lost 21-9 to France. The French held a 16-6 half-time lead following tries from centre Nathalie Amiel and flanker Aline Sagols, and two penalties from full-back Estelle Sartini. Inez Rodriguez landed her third penalty for the Americans early in the second half, but thereafter it was a stalemate until Amiel broke through for her second try, and France's third, in the 79th minute.
The Independent on Sunday (London, England) (May 19, 2002): p12
For much of yesterday's quarter-final, the Spaniards had high hopes of reaching the last four and led 5-0 at half-time. But a rousing dressing- room speech at the interval by the England coach, Geoff Richards, injected a sense of urgency which bore fruit in the form of two tries within 10 minutes of the restart.
Earlier, it had taken nearly half an hour for the first points to be recorded when the Spanish wing Isabel Perez darted through a gap to score an unconverted try. Then, despite heavy English pressure just before the interval, the home defence refused to bend.
England, unused to being outplayed by one of the lesser rugby nations, finally got on to the scoresheet when centre Nicky Jupp crossed the Spanish line in the 46th minute. Four minutes later, right-wing Nicola Crawford found the space she needed to dot down in the corner and give England a 10-3 lead.
Five points was too small a margin as Spain again applied the pressure, but in the 53rd minute Shelly Rae, a normally dependable kicker who had missed two conversion attempts, at last found the target with a penalty which put England two scores ahead.
The results meant that England have now qualified for Tuesday's semi- finals, though the news wasn't as good for Scotland who were beaten 11- 0 by Canada, who reached the last four. Canada had lead 3-0 at the interval.
As the reseeding process is based on the number of tries scored, it is possible that England might have to face the favourites and defending champions, New Zealand, who yesterday thrashed Australia 36-3. The Black Ferns dominated both territory and possession, and it took a fine defensive performance from the Wallaroos to avoid a heavier defeat. The try of the game came in the second half when substitute Helen Vaaga found a hole in a maul before fending off three would-be tacklers to score.
The USA failed to reach their fourth consecutive World Cup final when they lost 21-9 to France. The French held a 16-6 half-time lead following tries from centre Nathalie Amiel and flanker Aline Sagols, and two penalties from full-back Estelle Sartini. Inez Rodriguez landed her third penalty for the Americans early in the second half, but thereafter it was a stalemate until Amiel broke through for her second try, and France's third, in the 79th minute.
The Independent on Sunday (London, England) (May 19, 2002): p12
Saturday, 2 May 1998
Women's rugby now accepted by Twickenham?
FRANK KEATING
AS THE old advertising boast for the Virginia Slims women's tennis circuit had it - 'You've come a long way, baby' - so with the distaff branch of international rugby. Only 10 years ago, when Emma Mitchell played her first Test match against Wales at Newport, the England team slept in bunks or sleeping-bags at the Chepstow youth hostel.
'It was a three o'clock kick-off but we were still slung out by 10am after doing all the chores; the forwards washed up the breakfast things, the backs swept and dusted, and us two half-backs had to clean out the toilets. Then we found a park and 'killed three or four hours mooching about with our rucksacks, sleeping-bags and match kit.'From a Chepstow youth hostel to a swish hotel in Amsterdam . . . that 1988 fixture was only the third international England's women had played. Those pioneers have seen their game develop at such a remarkable pace that yesterday in Holland's capital the Dutch minister of sport, the former Olympic swimming medallist Erica Terpstra, officially opened the third women's World Cup in a jam-packed sell-out new stadium where today England begin the defence of their title against Sweden.
The final will be a fortnight today. Sixteen countries have qualified and although the bookmakers particularly fancy the holders England along with the United States, France and New Zealand, the newly Triple-crowned Scots are seriously optimistic; the Welsh and the Irish also travel with high hopes.
With some enlightened sponsorship, plus Sports Council funding and a Lottery grant, the women's game in England has nervelessly held the gaze and stared back with a bonny smile at the diminishing but still substantial body of men who scoff at their pastime.
The Rugby Football Union has come round at last. After the first women's World Cup in Cardiff in 1991 the International Rugby Football Board refused recognition to a follow-up in Holland, but after it was switched to Edinburgh and become another huge success, England famously winning the final, that haughty body loosened the studs on its starched wing-collars. Although not yet fully integrated the Women's RFU (RFUW) is now accepted under the umbrella of the RFU.
When the engaging scrum-half Mitchell played her first international that afternoon at Newport in 1988 there were reckoned to be about 40 women's sides in England. Today there are 270, and more than 8,500 registered players - which still does not compare, mind you, with the 13,000 players in 600-plus United States teams. Canada boasts nearly 10,000 players. On the other hand, Sweden muster only 100 adult players.
Brought up on men's rugby, you must watch and appreciate the women's game as if through a filter. As in cricket, different qualities predominate. Women's rugby is singularly more nimble and dextrous, and although just as wholehearted it has less of a grudge-driven and bullyingly hard edge.
Training at Lilleshall this week before travelling to Holland on Thursday, the England squad displayed a lightness of touch in mind and spirit that their sombrely grunting male counterparts have long lost. There is a wide blend in ages, although on the practice pitch the mudlarking teenagers are not noticeably in thrall to their two undoubted world stars, the totemesque No. 8 and captain Gill Burns and the equally appealing Mitchell, who set Sky screens alight a couple of weeks ago when playing for Saracens against Wasps in the club cup final.
Like Mitchell, Burns took up the game when chivvied to switch from hockey in her early twenties. 'Rugby took over my life,' says the enthusiast, who teaches PE at Range High School, Formby.
Both women remain chastened by last autumn's first England tour to New Zealand when, after a 28-hour flight, the team had a day's sleep before waking up to play, ludicrously, the full-strength women's All Black XV. Not surprisingly they were beaten, 67 0. It still rankles. In Amsterdam, England are seeded to play New Zealand, who did not attend the World Cup in 1994, in the semi-final on Tuesday week.
'If not quite 67, they were 30 points better than us,' says Mitchell with a delectably determined smile. 'We know we stood off that day and let them come at us, which was fatal.'
At Lilleshall this week the women called in one of the England coaches, the former rugby league stalwart Phil Larder, to galvanise their defences. Larder was a convert inside five minutes and, after two stiff sessions on Monday, stayed over for an extra one on Tuesday. 'I feared the worst, if truth were known. But I've been impressed. I've drilled them one-on-one just like I have with the men, and they compared on a dead-level par. At defence, their technique and ability to hit hard was an eye-opener; they've got the timing as well as the bottle; they've addressed their apparent weaknesses and now I'd be mighty surprised if any other team in this World Cup can possibly defend as well.'
The Worcester club provide two in the Amsterdam party, the full-back Nicky Brown and Mitchell's deputy, the 18-year-old Jo-Ann Yapp, and I offered the last word to Worcester's rugby director Les Cusworth, former England coach and sparkling fly-half. 'The ladies play and enjoy rugby as it should be played and enjoyed. They are fast and skilful, and though the old-fashioned male in me still winces at some of the physical contact, their vision, handling and deftness of touch can teach many a leading male player a trick or two.'
As the Virginia Slims baby had it, they have come a mighty long way. From that Chepstow youth hostel to a plush hotel in Amsterdam . . .
Source Citation
"Rugby Union: Women's World Cup: It's only ruck and roll but we like it: Even the twits at Twickers take the fillies seriously now. It's been a long hard road, but they've finally arrived." Guardian [London, England] 2 May 1998
AS THE old advertising boast for the Virginia Slims women's tennis circuit had it - 'You've come a long way, baby' - so with the distaff branch of international rugby. Only 10 years ago, when Emma Mitchell played her first Test match against Wales at Newport, the England team slept in bunks or sleeping-bags at the Chepstow youth hostel.
'It was a three o'clock kick-off but we were still slung out by 10am after doing all the chores; the forwards washed up the breakfast things, the backs swept and dusted, and us two half-backs had to clean out the toilets. Then we found a park and 'killed three or four hours mooching about with our rucksacks, sleeping-bags and match kit.'From a Chepstow youth hostel to a swish hotel in Amsterdam . . . that 1988 fixture was only the third international England's women had played. Those pioneers have seen their game develop at such a remarkable pace that yesterday in Holland's capital the Dutch minister of sport, the former Olympic swimming medallist Erica Terpstra, officially opened the third women's World Cup in a jam-packed sell-out new stadium where today England begin the defence of their title against Sweden.
The final will be a fortnight today. Sixteen countries have qualified and although the bookmakers particularly fancy the holders England along with the United States, France and New Zealand, the newly Triple-crowned Scots are seriously optimistic; the Welsh and the Irish also travel with high hopes.
With some enlightened sponsorship, plus Sports Council funding and a Lottery grant, the women's game in England has nervelessly held the gaze and stared back with a bonny smile at the diminishing but still substantial body of men who scoff at their pastime.
The Rugby Football Union has come round at last. After the first women's World Cup in Cardiff in 1991 the International Rugby Football Board refused recognition to a follow-up in Holland, but after it was switched to Edinburgh and become another huge success, England famously winning the final, that haughty body loosened the studs on its starched wing-collars. Although not yet fully integrated the Women's RFU (RFUW) is now accepted under the umbrella of the RFU.
When the engaging scrum-half Mitchell played her first international that afternoon at Newport in 1988 there were reckoned to be about 40 women's sides in England. Today there are 270, and more than 8,500 registered players - which still does not compare, mind you, with the 13,000 players in 600-plus United States teams. Canada boasts nearly 10,000 players. On the other hand, Sweden muster only 100 adult players.
Brought up on men's rugby, you must watch and appreciate the women's game as if through a filter. As in cricket, different qualities predominate. Women's rugby is singularly more nimble and dextrous, and although just as wholehearted it has less of a grudge-driven and bullyingly hard edge.
Training at Lilleshall this week before travelling to Holland on Thursday, the England squad displayed a lightness of touch in mind and spirit that their sombrely grunting male counterparts have long lost. There is a wide blend in ages, although on the practice pitch the mudlarking teenagers are not noticeably in thrall to their two undoubted world stars, the totemesque No. 8 and captain Gill Burns and the equally appealing Mitchell, who set Sky screens alight a couple of weeks ago when playing for Saracens against Wasps in the club cup final.
Like Mitchell, Burns took up the game when chivvied to switch from hockey in her early twenties. 'Rugby took over my life,' says the enthusiast, who teaches PE at Range High School, Formby.
Both women remain chastened by last autumn's first England tour to New Zealand when, after a 28-hour flight, the team had a day's sleep before waking up to play, ludicrously, the full-strength women's All Black XV. Not surprisingly they were beaten, 67 0. It still rankles. In Amsterdam, England are seeded to play New Zealand, who did not attend the World Cup in 1994, in the semi-final on Tuesday week.
'If not quite 67, they were 30 points better than us,' says Mitchell with a delectably determined smile. 'We know we stood off that day and let them come at us, which was fatal.'
At Lilleshall this week the women called in one of the England coaches, the former rugby league stalwart Phil Larder, to galvanise their defences. Larder was a convert inside five minutes and, after two stiff sessions on Monday, stayed over for an extra one on Tuesday. 'I feared the worst, if truth were known. But I've been impressed. I've drilled them one-on-one just like I have with the men, and they compared on a dead-level par. At defence, their technique and ability to hit hard was an eye-opener; they've got the timing as well as the bottle; they've addressed their apparent weaknesses and now I'd be mighty surprised if any other team in this World Cup can possibly defend as well.'
The Worcester club provide two in the Amsterdam party, the full-back Nicky Brown and Mitchell's deputy, the 18-year-old Jo-Ann Yapp, and I offered the last word to Worcester's rugby director Les Cusworth, former England coach and sparkling fly-half. 'The ladies play and enjoy rugby as it should be played and enjoyed. They are fast and skilful, and though the old-fashioned male in me still winces at some of the physical contact, their vision, handling and deftness of touch can teach many a leading male player a trick or two.'
As the Virginia Slims baby had it, they have come a mighty long way. From that Chepstow youth hostel to a plush hotel in Amsterdam . . .
Source Citation
"Rugby Union: Women's World Cup: It's only ruck and roll but we like it: Even the twits at Twickers take the fillies seriously now. It's been a long hard road, but they've finally arrived." Guardian [London, England] 2 May 1998
Saturday, 23 April 1994
World Cup: final preview
David Hands
THE first world rugby union championship for women ended in an American victory, a grin of delight that the organisers had successfully negotiated their self-imposed hurdle and a grimace at the bills that were left to pay. The second championship, which ends in Edinburgh tomorrow, may reproduce the first two results, but not the third.
Good housekeeping by the Scottish organising committee has left it confident of a modest surplus with which to nourish the development of the women's game. It budgeted on the basis that each game in the 12-team championship would be watched by no more than 50 paying spectators. In the event, the crowd that attended the encounter last week between Scotland and England (variously estimated at between 3,500 and 4,000) ensured against failure.
``The tournament was always going to cover its
costs,'' George Williamson, the financial controller, said. Williamson, a banker in Edinburgh, is married to the Scotland scrum half, Sandra, and formed part of an energetic committee, chaired by Sue Brodie, which refused to let the tournament die after Holland's withdrawal as hosts only 90 days before the scheduled start.
``Before everything began, we had enough sponsorship for the brochure to cover most costs,'' Williamson said. The Scottish team also received a development loan of Pounds 2,500 from the Scottish Sports Council, which had been refunded even before the final at Edinburgh Academicals tomorrow, when the United States, the holders, play England, as they did in 1991 in Cardiff.
``We learned from the experience of the previous tournament too and erred on the side of caution,'' Williamson said. ``It's amazing the way it has taken off. Since the tournament began, Melrose have decided to set up a women's section and I have had calls from people asking how they can start clubs. It will put women's rugby on the map here.''
The icing on the cake would be a final of high quality. Three years ago, the Americans dominated a stagestruck England team to win 19-6; in Scotland, they have pulverised opponents by the quality of their running and the power of their tackling.
England, whose ability to reproduce the strengths and weaknesses of the men's national team is remarkable, will go in as underdogs, despite the win over the United States in Toronto last summer.
That, generally speaking, is the way English teams prefer to be seen and a position from which they have been known to win.
Copyright (C) The Times, 1994
Source Citation
"Scotland reaps reward for women's game; Rugby Union." Times [London, England] 23 Apr. 1994
THE first world rugby union championship for women ended in an American victory, a grin of delight that the organisers had successfully negotiated their self-imposed hurdle and a grimace at the bills that were left to pay. The second championship, which ends in Edinburgh tomorrow, may reproduce the first two results, but not the third.
Good housekeeping by the Scottish organising committee has left it confident of a modest surplus with which to nourish the development of the women's game. It budgeted on the basis that each game in the 12-team championship would be watched by no more than 50 paying spectators. In the event, the crowd that attended the encounter last week between Scotland and England (variously estimated at between 3,500 and 4,000) ensured against failure.
``The tournament was always going to cover its
costs,'' George Williamson, the financial controller, said. Williamson, a banker in Edinburgh, is married to the Scotland scrum half, Sandra, and formed part of an energetic committee, chaired by Sue Brodie, which refused to let the tournament die after Holland's withdrawal as hosts only 90 days before the scheduled start.
``Before everything began, we had enough sponsorship for the brochure to cover most costs,'' Williamson said. The Scottish team also received a development loan of Pounds 2,500 from the Scottish Sports Council, which had been refunded even before the final at Edinburgh Academicals tomorrow, when the United States, the holders, play England, as they did in 1991 in Cardiff.
``We learned from the experience of the previous tournament too and erred on the side of caution,'' Williamson said. ``It's amazing the way it has taken off. Since the tournament began, Melrose have decided to set up a women's section and I have had calls from people asking how they can start clubs. It will put women's rugby on the map here.''
The icing on the cake would be a final of high quality. Three years ago, the Americans dominated a stagestruck England team to win 19-6; in Scotland, they have pulverised opponents by the quality of their running and the power of their tackling.
England, whose ability to reproduce the strengths and weaknesses of the men's national team is remarkable, will go in as underdogs, despite the win over the United States in Toronto last summer.
That, generally speaking, is the way English teams prefer to be seen and a position from which they have been known to win.
Copyright (C) The Times, 1994
Source Citation
"Scotland reaps reward for women's game; Rugby Union." Times [London, England] 23 Apr. 1994
Friday, 3 April 1992
National Cup final
The Women's Rugby Football Union holds the final of its national cup competition at Blackheath on Sunday. Richmond meet Saracens in a repeat of last year's final, which Saracens won 11-8. Richmond won a recent league match between the sides 7-6.
Saturday, 12 January 1991
World Cup: preview
Simon Barnes
The year's great event takes place in Cardiff in April. In terms of exoticism, at least, there is nothing that can touch it: how could anyone match the Japanese women's rugby team? An awesome prospect, especially as New Zealand have just confirmed they will be sending a team of female All Blacks. The event is the women's rugby World Cup and there are ten acceptors thus far England, Wales, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Japan, New Zealand, the United States and Canada. The organisers are hoping for two more sides, and are waiting for confirmation from France and, improbably, the Soviet Union.
One imagines that such an event must be taking place over a number of dead bodies but, in fact, I hear that the Rugby Football Union has been ``great''. The game has been growing apace from absolutely nothing: 12 teams five years ago, 92 today. Differences between the men's game and the women's game: the songs are better sung and non-smutty, and you get your hangover on Monday morning rather than Sunday. The press officer for the World Cup is called Alice Cooper: no connection, one assumes, with the singer of No More Mr Nice Guy. There will be no Australian side at the World Cup. Aussie ladies don't play. Not tough enough, I suppose.
More on exotic women, and let us turn our attention to Katarina Witt, the German skater. Exciting the passions has always been a central part of the lady's repertoire but she didn't bargain for Harry Veltman III, a 46-year-old from California. Witt is presently touring America with an ice show co-starring Brian Boitano. During her ``Springtime Ballet'' solo, Veltman III threw a bundle of letters on to the ice: bundles containing reams and reams of demented sexual ramblings. He was kept at Denver General Hospital on a ``mental health hold'' and then taken to jail.
Copyright (C) The Times, 1991
Source Citation
"Singing songs less smutty and silly; Rugby Union." Times [London, England] 12 Jan. 1991.
The year's great event takes place in Cardiff in April. In terms of exoticism, at least, there is nothing that can touch it: how could anyone match the Japanese women's rugby team? An awesome prospect, especially as New Zealand have just confirmed they will be sending a team of female All Blacks. The event is the women's rugby World Cup and there are ten acceptors thus far England, Wales, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Japan, New Zealand, the United States and Canada. The organisers are hoping for two more sides, and are waiting for confirmation from France and, improbably, the Soviet Union.
One imagines that such an event must be taking place over a number of dead bodies but, in fact, I hear that the Rugby Football Union has been ``great''. The game has been growing apace from absolutely nothing: 12 teams five years ago, 92 today. Differences between the men's game and the women's game: the songs are better sung and non-smutty, and you get your hangover on Monday morning rather than Sunday. The press officer for the World Cup is called Alice Cooper: no connection, one assumes, with the singer of No More Mr Nice Guy. There will be no Australian side at the World Cup. Aussie ladies don't play. Not tough enough, I suppose.
More on exotic women, and let us turn our attention to Katarina Witt, the German skater. Exciting the passions has always been a central part of the lady's repertoire but she didn't bargain for Harry Veltman III, a 46-year-old from California. Witt is presently touring America with an ice show co-starring Brian Boitano. During her ``Springtime Ballet'' solo, Veltman III threw a bundle of letters on to the ice: bundles containing reams and reams of demented sexual ramblings. He was kept at Denver General Hospital on a ``mental health hold'' and then taken to jail.
Copyright (C) The Times, 1991
Source Citation
"Singing songs less smutty and silly; Rugby Union." Times [London, England] 12 Jan. 1991.
Friday, 15 December 1989
New coach for the Great Britain team
The Women's Rugby Football Union has appointed Jeff Williams as coach to the British team. Williams succeeds Jim Greenwood, the former British Isles and Scotland forward who has influenced so many students at Loughborough University.
Williams comes with strong recommendations from the Welsh Rugby Union and he may see some of his potential charges engaged at London Welsh tomorrow, when the Midlands play the South-East in the final round of the women's regional championship. The first British fixture of the season is against Italy at Moseley on March 18.
Source Citation
"Reciprocal trips offer by Soviets; Rugby Union." Times [London, England] 15 Dec. 1989
Williams comes with strong recommendations from the Welsh Rugby Union and he may see some of his potential charges engaged at London Welsh tomorrow, when the Midlands play the South-East in the final round of the women's regional championship. The first British fixture of the season is against Italy at Moseley on March 18.
Source Citation
"Reciprocal trips offer by Soviets; Rugby Union." Times [London, England] 15 Dec. 1989
Monday, 18 April 1988
National Cup final, 1986
Cheryl Stennett scored three tries as Wasps beat Richmond, 34-6, in the final of the women's Rugby Union Cup at Rosslyn Park yesterday. Copyright (C) The Times, 1988
Source Citation
"Sport In Brief: Three tries." Times [London, England] 18 Apr. 1988.
Source Citation
"Sport In Brief: Three tries." Times [London, England] 18 Apr. 1988.
Saturday, 25 April 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
Source Citation
"Rugby Union: England put off payments decision." Times [London, England] 25 Apr. 1987
Monday, 13 April 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
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
Sunday, 12 April 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.
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.
Tuesday, 7 April 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
Source Citation
"Sport In Brief: Women's final; Rugby Union." Times [London, England] 7 Apr. 1987
Sunday, 1 March 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.
Source Citation
"Rugby Round-up." Sunday Times [London, England] 1 Mar. 1987.
Sunday, 5 January 1986
Great Britain v France: announcement; Sponsorship of women's rugby
A first-ever women's international between England and France will be played at the Richmond ground on April 19, despite the loss of a pounds 12,000 sponsorship deal which the newly-formed Women's Rugby Union thought was all wrapped up.
The wine company Piat d'Or had approached the women's union, and a season's programme had been agreed, culminating in the France international, before Piats parent company cried off - the reason being that it had been unable to arrange a parallel deal with men's rugby.
For the women, who feel they were 'left in the lurch', it was a dismal reminder of their dependence on men's rugby. But they will stage the international anyway, even if the visitors have to pay their own fares.
Source Citation
"Rugby Round-Up." Sunday Times [London, England] 5 Jan. 1986. InfoTrac Custom Newspapers. Web. 24 Dec. 2009.
Wednesday, 10 April 1985
Saturday, 16 March 1985
Saturday, 24 December 1983
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