As usual, the summer break has seen many players switching clubs. There is nothing unusual about that, but this year brings its own quota of interesting issues. Today, 30 June sees the two latest signings for Trailfinders, Isla Duncan-Bell and Celia Quansah. Duncan-Bell becomes the second GB 7s regular to move to the 15s game,
Allan Bunting has announced the names of 33 players to form the squads to play their last two home matches before the RWC. The squad: (I offer them as originally shown, though the rest of the world isn’t as bright at arithmetic. For us two halves are needed to make a whole, and two five-eighths
Training and more training 1 June Cornwall beat Devon 31-27 in the first-ever Tamar Cup (part of Gill Burns Cup); Cornwalians call this the most important result of the year; (“you need read no further”); I hope you disagree 2 June More than 1,100 former players have joined a lawsuit concerning concussion; 784 from rugby
Left-handers to the forefront Chelmsford It was left-handers day at Chelmsford, as every Ferns’ wicket to fall involved a left-arm bowler or catcher. Pride of place in the first innings went to Mahika Gaur, restored to the home side. She made a decisive strike, pinning Georgia Plimmer in front with her third ball. She went
Trent Bridge Smriti Mandhana, a player who could win the series off her own bat, you might think, hit Lauren Bell’s second ball for four through mid-off. This was the start of a ritual slaughter. Early tactics were on show: Charlotte Edwards preferred one over per bowler; India preferred hitting fours to running in the
A. Canada Kévin Rouet has announced a squad of 32 players to tour South Africa next month. They are: Forwards Brittany Kassil, Caroline Crossley, Courtney O’Donnell, DaLeaka Menin, Fabiola Forteza, Gabrielle Senft, Gillian Boag, Holly Phillips, Karen Paquin, Laetitia Royer, McKinley Hunt, Mikiela Nelson, Olivia DeMerchant, Pamphinette Buisa, Rachel Smith, Rori Wood, Sophie de Goede,
England ‘A’ New Zealand ‘A’ – Second ODI Derby Flora Devonshire took England to the wire in a thrilling second ODI. First, the team changes: England – Hannah Baker replaced Alexa Stonehouse. NZ – Polly Inglis replaced Izzy Gaze with the gloves; Nensi Patel for Emma Black. Grace Scrivens chose to bat first again, but
We have our first dramatic pre-World Cup news flash. Pauline Bourdon-Sansus, in many people’s eyes the greatest current Number 9, has been suspended for two matches. She had made clear in the media (especially in the Sud-Ouest newspaper) her dissatisfaction with refereeing standards. Her criticism was aimed primarily at the reffing of the Elite 1
At almost the same moment we pick up stories that reveal two opposing rugby trends. Let’s start with the happier, personal one: Ellie Boatman has rejoined Trailfinders. That means she becomes the first GB Sevens player to indicate where her immediate future lies. A crucial passage in her statement is that she is focusing on
Derby This match showed the 50-over version of the game at its best. England made a tentative start, Grace Scrivens edging Bree Illing’s first ball just past the keeper. Seren Smale went early, lbw playing across Illing’s left-arm swinger. Davina Perrin celebrated the 50 coming up in the 12th over with a quite magnificent cover
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