Wharfedale Ladies took to the pitch to play their first game. The newly formed squad started training in September 2024 under the guidance of head coach Andy Hodgson and forwards coach Phil Peel. They had a lot to learn and worked hard to fulfil their first fixture, fielding 14 ladies who had never played rugby before.
The whole team pulled together to play against another developing side, Clitheroe Ladies, who had started a year prior in September 2023. The tries came from whole team play, either down the backs or from forward pods. Every lady contributed towards the final score, and the noise from the large crowd spectating showed that they put on a performance to be proud of.
Number 13, Emily Preston scored the opening try of the game with a fantastic break down the wing. This was her first rugby game running fantastic lines and going on to score two more tries, giving her a hat-trick. Number 3, Stacey Isherwood, also a brand-new player to rugby, scored a try breaking through their defence 5 metres out. Number 7, Charlotte Charnley, broke the line on their 22 to run in a try under the posts. Number 10, Jessie Allen, had a great kicking game and successfully converted twice.
We are still recruiting, so please come and join us every Monday 7:00 – 8:30 pm. All ages, all abilities.
