A lot has been happening on different fronts as women’s rugby in England hopes to catch up with other countries. Crowdfunding The big news from the world of Sevens broke on 15 September. The men and women members of England’s 7s squads have announced a crowdfunding campaign to replace the contracts that the RFU decided
Lisa Keightley has made a conservative choice for her first squad to represent England. Heather Knight (capt), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Katie George, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones (wk), Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield-Hill and Danni Wyatt. It’s excellent to see a name
Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Round 5 Vipers established outstanding new records against Storm at the Ageas, as Georgia Adams hit an unbeaten 154 in a total of 288-1. Ella McCaughan (63) and Maia Bouchier (50*) shared two huge stands of 155 and 133, accompanying her all the way. That total, just one short of Stars’
The ECB and all the England squad were overjoyed to hear that the West Indian cricket team was willing to come over to play a series of matches late in the season. This meant saving an international summer which seemed likely to end without a ball bowled. But there is a trouble-spot to be sorted
In the most thrilling clash of the day Lightning finally achieved a win, by six runs over Central Sparks. In the process Sarah Bryce chalked up her fourth half century in four attempts (75), a remarkable achievement. Like many of her fellows, she fell to an unwise cross-batted shot, of a type she had shunned
You wait half an hour, then two come along together. Only in this case it’s not buses, it’s England’s top Sevens players committing to 15s rugby in the Premier 15s. Worcester Warriors announce the signing of two of the Red Roses’ most redoubtable back-rowers, Heather Fisher and Alex Matthews. Both have played multiple times in
Deborah Fleming and Holly Aitchison become the first of the established England 7s stars to opt for a return to 15s. And who do they join? Saracens, of course. Only the best will do, though Deborah has every excuse – she is a long-term Saracen. She has been England’s first-choice flyer for several seasons. Let’s
With the England players all syphoned off to prepare for the West Indies visit, the RHF Trophy games took on a new perspective. This was where the lesser lights could really make their mark. First the Results: Southern Vipers 209-8 beat South East Stars 98 by 111 runs Northern Diamonds 229-8 beat Lightning 226 by
Selectors and coaches will be poring over the evidence of the first two rounds of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. But from now until the closing stages the cream of the crop will return to the England bubble, making the result depend on performances from the people who really matter, the players forming the great
It must have come as a huge relief to all competing nations that World Rugby has stepped in with funding to help them prepare properly for the Olympic Sevens next year. It’s not only the smaller unions who are suffering from lack of income. The richest of the lot, the RFU, recently stopped its backing
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