It’s a massive day at Liverpool St Helens this Sunday when the Girls U15s and U18s play host to North Cheltenham U15 and Old Albanian U18 (from Hertfordshire) in the semi-finals of the RFU National Girls Cups, both games kicking off at 2pm.
This is a spectacular achievement by the LSH girls, both teams having fought their way through seven previous rounds against teams from all over the North and Midlands Regions. The U18s are now in their fourth year together at the Lane whilst the U15s were only formed at the start of the season, along with a Women’s senior side.
There is a great deal of pride at the club with the development of the Women’s and Girls Section and as is always the case, it results from a lot of hard work from lots of volunteers. Women and Girls Chair Bryan Taylor can’t wait for this Sunday.
“The girls have worked so hard all season and fully deserve what will be a special day for everyone. Both teams are extremely close knit groups and I just hope that they both do themselves justice on the day”.
The driving force behind the section has been 1st XV second rower Chris Hall who has worked with coaches, parents and players to build the section.
“The girls have surpassed our expectations. They are a brilliant bunch to work with, full of energy and enthusiasm. Win or lose we are all proud of them”
Our Under 15s team was created at the beginning of the season, many hadn’t played the game of Rugby Union before joining us.
"But with the work of the coaches by creating the right environment and the ethos of the club about enjoyment and learning, the team quickly gelled into a fantastic group whose individual talent complement each other on the park.
"The girls are as close off the pitch as they are on the pitch."
The Under 18’s are a little more established, but the majority of the girls have played at the club since the formation of the girls section some four years ago.
The club are particularly proud of the achievements of these girls, especially the Under 15’s, they are a relatively new team this season learning the game and having fun.
The team consists of a mix of girls from various Rugby League teams across the borough of St Helens and Wigan but the squad consists of girls that come as far afield as Widnes, Southport, and Burnley.
In the last rounds played on 6 March, the Under 15s were drawn away to the established Houghton Rugby Club in the North east, the game was a tense affair and close for 60 minutes before Liverpool St Helens fitness and guile shone through.
Liverpool St Helens scored some scintillating team tries in the last quarter to come away victorious with a 10 points to 54 win and book themselves into the next round.
Person of the match and deservedly so was Liverpool St Helens Scrum Half Caitlin Maylor whilst the opposition chose the no-nonsense Flanker Lucy Gibbons.
The Under 18s had the luxury of a home draw in the quarter finals played on the same day, a large crowd gathered at Moss Lane to watch the encounter between Liverpool St Helens and Sandal, a Yorkshire side packed with talent and county representatives.
LSH Girls Under 15s.
However, Liverpool St Helens were far too strong for them on the day and was victorious with a 56-0 victory, Girls of the match recognised for their contributions were Grace Ballard, Beri Salihi and Georgia Lake Both teams booked themselves into the next round draw.
On a fantastic turn of fate both teams have been drawn to play at home on the same day which will be no doubt an amazing spectacle for girls Rugby for the region if not the country.
Both games will be played at Moss Lane, St Helens on Sunday 27 March kick off at 2pm.
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