The second edition of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League—chess’s first franchise competition—kicked off in London with a bang as top players from around the world squared off in an electrifying opening day. After three matches, the PBG Alaskan Knights, American Gambits, and Alpine SG Pipers emerged victorious, setting the pace for the competition.

The packed venue at Friends House in London erupted in applause as top world players, including Magnus Carlsen entered the hall, dressed in team jerseys in an atmosphere more akin to a football match than a traditional chess tournament.

The opening match of the season featured the American Gambits against season one runners-up, the Mumba Masters. According to league regulations, each match starts with a coin toss to decide colours. For this round, the American Gambits played with the white pieces. As this is a round-robin tournament, they will switch to black when they meet the Mumba Masters again.

The American Gambits secured a commanding 11:6 victory over the Mumba Masters, earning three match points. On the Icon board, reserved for the league’s strongest players, world number two Hikaru Nakamura, playing as White, fought to a hard-earned draw against France’s Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Despite describing his performance as “shaky,” Nakamura remained optimistic about his team’s chances: “I think as the event goes on, we’ll build more chemistry. Everyone’s in a pretty good mood, and today we played really well… My game was maybe a little shaky at times, but everybody seemed to play well, so I’m actually pretty optimistic. As the event goes on, we’ll continue to get better.”

While Nakamura settled for a draw, his teammate, 26-year-old Polish grandmaster Jan-Krzysztof Duda, delivered a decisive win. Duda defeated Vidit Santhosh Gujrathi with a brilliant checkmate combination, earning him the title of Player of the Match. Elsewhere, China’s Yu Yangyi played to a draw against Peter Svidler in a balanced encounter between seasoned grandmasters. However, it was on the lower boards that the American Gambits sealed their victory. Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva upset one of India’s top female players, Humpy Koneru, while Harika Dronavalli provided a win for the Mumba Masters by defeating German GM Elisabeth Paehtz. Jonas Buhl Bjerre capped off the Gambits’ commanding win by defeating Mumba’s Raunak Sadhwani.

The second match of the day saw the Ganges Grandmasters, playing with White, face the Alpine SG Pipers. Despite the colour disadvantage, the SG Pipers triumphed with an 11:6 victory, thanks to wins by Richard Rapport and Hou Yifan.

The top duel of the day featured a showdown between two chess titans—both five-time World Champions—Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen. The game ended in a draw, with Carlsen managing to steady the ship after a tough middlegame.

Alpine SG Pipers’ Richard Rapport’s victory came after a tense battle with Iranian grandmaster Parham Maghsoodloo, where he turned the tables despite White’s early initiative. For his performance, Rapport was named Player of the Match. Meanwhile, Ganges’ Vaishali Rameshbabu put up a fierce fight against former women’s World Champion Hou Yifan but ultimately lost. International Master Nurgyul Salimova salvaged some pride for the Ganges Grandmasters by defeating the experienced blitz and rapid player Kateryna Lagno. On the junior board, the match between Volodar Murzin and Daniel Dardha ended in a draw.

The final match of the day saw the defending champions, Triveni Continental Kings, face the PBG Alaskan Knights. Despite having the first-move advantage, the champions were caught off guard as the Alaskan Knights came out swinging, securing a dominant 15:3 victory.

On the Icon board, 21-year-old Alireza Firouzja—one of the world’s top grandmasters, described by Magnus Carlsen as a potential successor at the top—miraculously saved a lost position against Anish Giri, preventing an even more devastating loss for his team. The Alaskan Knights claimed three victories on the superstars’ boards and drew the remaining two, finishing the match without a single defeat. With the most impressive score on day one, the PBG Alaskan Knights have firmly positioned themselves as strong contenders for the title.

With thanks to the Global Chess League

The twenty-second women’s match of ‘The Hundred’ tournament was a ‘must win’ match for Phoenix to qualify for the ‘Play-offs’ – which they failed to do. An extraordinary match unfolded, as Spirit’s memorable four-wicket win knocked Phoenix out of the tournament. Some of the ‘world’s best batters’ on both sides, failed to reach double-figures. POTM match hero Naomi Dattani (pictured) put paid to any thoughts of Phoenix’ rejuvenation, lobbing a ‘sensational’ catch into Alice Monaghan’s hands. Dattani told TV presenter Charles Dagnall that she was ‘glad’ Alice (Monaghan) was there (to receive the catch). Dattani also staged ‘an incredible’ batting partnership scoring 28 runs (from 29 balls, strike rate 96.6); with teenager Grace Scrivens. Following Spirit’s top-order batting collapse, together they posted a seventh wicket partnership of 57 runs from 55 balls. Match was broadcast via SKY Sports YouTube channel – please see below – with Kass Naidoo, Charles Dagnall, Natalie Germanos (Australia), Lydia Greenway, and Darren Gough. Also ESPN-cric-info (Ekanth and Ashish); BBC ’No Balls’ co-hosted by Alex Hartley and other social media. Weather at Lord’s was described as fine.

Phoenix Innings

Skipper Sophie Devine (NZ) Ria Fackrell and Gwenan Davies were playing. *Phoenix needed not only to stay in third-place, but also improve their net-run-rate (with another match result unknown) to improve their chance to qualify for the Play-offs, at the next step of the tournament. *Only two batters made double-figures. Australia’s Sophie Molineux 3(3) was caught at ‘backward point’ by Amelia Kerr from Freya Davies’ first ball. *Australia’s Megan Schutt (2/14) was on a hat-trick when two wickets fell in consecutive balls. *Amy Jones 5(9) was clean-bowled by Schutt. *Next ball fellow Australian Ellyse Perry 0(1) was caught for a golden duck by keeper Beth Mooney – said to be a carbon copy of Perry’s Edgbaston dismissal. *Eve Jones survived Schutt’s hat-trick ball. *After 25 balls power play, Phoenix were 21/3. *Skipper Devine (9) was ‘run out’ at the non-striker’s end by Charlie Dean from mid-wicket, with bowler Grace Scrivens whipping-off the bales.* At mid-way, Phoenix were 41/4. *Another breakthrough came when Georgia Elwiss 14(13) ballooned a catch to Nancy Harman, from Danielle Gibson. *Gibson took a catch at ‘deep-midwicket’ to dismiss Issy Wong (3), from Amelia Kerr (NZ); said to be ‘a huge loss.’ *Top scorer Eve Jones 24(30) was caught by Charlie Dean – diving backwards to take an ‘outstanding’ catch, from Grace Scrivens (1/11.) *Emily Arlott 7(10) was ‘sensationally’ caught as Naomi Dattani who intercepted a ‘six,’ flicking the catch back to Alice Monaghan, from Danielle Gibson (2/12). *Ria Fackrell 2(2) was run-out when scampering for a second run, as Danielle Gibson made an ‘exhibition’ dive, astutely thowing to keeper Beth Mooney ‘who did the rest.’ *Finally, Gwenan Davies (6) lost her balance when finding her top-edge, caught at backward point by Alice Monaghan, from Amelia Kerr (2/17.) *Darren Gough told viewers he’d seen ‘one of the best’ fielding masterclasses in the tournament’s two-year history. *Phoenix chalked-up the ‘fourth-lowest’ score in the women’s tournament. *Overall, having won their first three matches, Phoenix lost their next three.

Spirit Innings

Nancy Harman in.*Skipper Charlie Dean was ‘absolutely outstanding,’ having been ’thrown in at the deep-end.’ *Dean admitted she wasn’t ‘a massive leader;’ but had ‘learned much in a short space of time,’ in Heather Knight’s absence. *Previously, Spirit relied upon on Australia’s Commonwealth Games gold medallist Beth Mooney to make good scores. *It came as a shock when Mooney was ‘run-out.’ *After 11 balls, commentators then described a ‘horror run chase’ with three wickets down, only 2 runs on-the-board; and 81 runs still required. *Firstly, Danielle Gibson (0) and secondly, Beth Mooney (1) were both ‘run-out.’ *Skipper Devine scored a direct-hit at the stumps. *Thirdly Amelia Kerr was caught by Eve Jones from Emily Arlott. *Having suffered a carbon copy batting collapse, Spirit were close behind at the power play: 11/3 (vs 21/3.) Sophie Luff 8(14) was caught from a leading-edge by Ellyse Perry ‘with ease,’ from Emily Arlott (2/9.) *Skipper Charlie Dean 6(13) played-on to Georgia Elwiss, (said to be ‘over the moon’) *Drinks were taken on 21/5. TV pundits switched-sides, predicting Phoenix to win. *Alice Monaghan was bowled ‘straight-through-the-gate.’ *POTM Naomi Dattani partnered by Grace Scrivens, together posted 57 runs. In a tight finish, they scampered the winning 2 runs from the 97th ball with 3 balls remaining.

Summary

As mentioned above, it was an extraordinary scene as the bottom-of-the-table underdogs defeated their third-placed opponents. Some of the ‘world’s best batters’ failed to ‘stand-up’ (to their reputations to score runs.) As mentioned above, Match hero Naomi Dattani  took a spectacular catch, lobbed inside the boundary to Alice Monaghan to complete the catch. With the bat, Dattani, partnered by Grace Scrivens, staged a ‘brilliant comeback’ to see Spirit home – proving TV pundits completely wrong. After the match, Spirit’s skipper Charlie Dean said that she was pleased that Naomi Dattani ‘got her opportunity’ today; (to show what she could do) and the ‘immense’ crowd helped. Darren Gough said that Spirit’s catching and ‘team-work’ was ‘first-class.’ Lydia Greenway added that finishing the tournament with a win should give Spirit added confidence for next year’s tournament. Spirit finish in 7th place with their second win. Presenter Charles Dagnall signed-off with: ‘What a day we’ve had!’

Result: London Spirit Women 8/6 beat Birmingham Phoenix Women 82/10; by 4 wickets with 3 balls remaining

Phoenix batting: 82/10 (94/100 balls@0.87 runs-per-over); Eve Jones 24(30), Georgia Elwiss 14(13); Spirit bowling: Danielle Gibson 2/12, Megan Schutt 2/14, Amelia Kerr 2/17, Freya Davies 1/8, Grace Scrivens 1/11; Fow 1-10, 2-15, 3-15, 4-32, 5-57, 6-64, 7-69, 8-73, 9-76, 10-82. Spirit batting: 83/6 (97/100 balls@0.85 runs-per-over target 83 from 100); Naomi Dattani 28*(29), Grace Scrivens 26*(30); Phoenix bowling: Emily Arlott 2/9, Georgia Elwiss 2/20, Sophie Molineux 1/11, Ria Fackrell 1/19; Fow 1-1, 2-2, 3-2, 4-20, 5-21, 6-26;

Scorecard & Statistics at URL: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-hundred-women-s-competition-2022-1299144/london-spirit-women-vs-birmingham-phoenix-women-22nd-match-1299166/full-scorecard

Match highlights free-to-air from SKY Sports YouTube [11m36] at URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuDHXcL9Jlc

Match video free-to-air from SKY Sports YouTube [32m20/03h28m05s] at URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmgk6XKtGHI

The 12 women’s and 16 men’s captains got ready for lift off as they lined up in front of the Ariane 5 space rocket at Space City on Wednesday ahead of the HSBC France Sevens, which is taking place in Toulouse for the first time.

Rugby fans in France and around the world can look forward to being entertained by the full roster of women’s and men’s teams over three days of thrilling, high octane rugby sevens action on 20-22 May at Stade Ernest Wallon.

Toulouse is the grand finale of the women’s Series and while Australia have already claimed the 2022 title, the return of Olympic gold medallists New Zealand and bronze medallists Fiji sees the women’s competition back to full strength. The USA, France and Ireland are in contention for the other Series podium positions while Spain and Brazil will be battling hard to avoid relegation to the Challenger Series.

VIEW SERIES STANDINGS >>

With four victories from the opening five rounds Australia were confirmed as women’s Series champions at the last round in Langford, Canada, where they beat rivals New Zealand in a pulsating final. The unique scoring system for 2022 sees only the four best results from each team count towards their final Series standings.

In Toulouse Australia are in Pool A together with the USA, who claimed gold in round three in Malaga, Spain on the only occasion Australia did not top the podium so far this Series. Olympic bronze medallists Fiji and invitational team South Africa will provide the opposition in a mouthwatering line-up.

Australia women’s captain Demi Hayes said: “After coming from Canada we are really excited to finish off the Series here in France, it is such a beautiful city and we can’t wait to play in front of the fans. We came in to the Series and set out to win the title we we’re really happy and can’t wait to finish it off here in the hot sun.”

Olympic champions New Zealand who returned to the Series in fine form in Langford will face Canada, Spain and invitational team Scotland in pool B. In pool C Ireland, bronze medallists in Langford, are up against hosts and Olympic silver medallists France, along with England and Brazil who will be aiming to gain vital Series ranking points in order to move out of the relegation position they currently occupy.

France women’s captain Jade Ulutule said: “We are very excited as it has been a long time since we last played in France so we are very happy and excited for this weekend. Our goal is to make the final and if we can win our first tournament in France it would be amazing.”

VIEW POOLS AND MATCH SCHEDULE >>

In the men’s Series it is still all to play for with six of the nine rounds completed. The unique scoring system for 2022 means only the best seven results from the nine rounds will count towards each team’s final Series standings.

The 2021 Series champions South Africa continued their unstoppable form with four consecutive tournament victories at the start of the 2022 Series to lead the standings with 111 points. However the return of Olympic Champions Fiji and 2020 Series title winners New Zealand along with Samoa following enforced absences due to the logistical challenges of Covid-19 means that fans can expect a hotly contested event in Toulouse.

Argentina will arrive in confident mood on 105 Series points following their victory in Vancouver and Los Pumas Sevens are in men’s Pool A together with England, Canada and Japan.

Argentina men’s captain Gaston Revol said: “We have arrived on Monday and are preparing well for the tournament. We are always looking to continue to improve our game and performances. We had a very good result in Vancouver and we would like to repeat it here in France.”

Men’s pool B sees double Olympic champions Fiji take on hosts France along with Wales and Kenya. In a tough looking Pool C, third ranked Australia, who have 100 Series points, are paired with New Zealand, Scotland and the USA.

Current Series leaders South Africa will be looking to bounce back to their dominant early season form in Pool D where they will play the impressive Samoa, Ireland and Spain.

Play gets under way at 09:30 local time (GMT+2) on Friday and remaining tickets for the HSBC France Sevens are available from only 10 euros at https://billetterie.ffr.fr/ with finals taking place on Sunday.

Rugby sevens fans around the world can watch the action via live stream on World Rugby digital platforms including www.world.rugby, You Tube and Facebook in countries where there is no national broadcaster covering the event.

WHERE TO WATCH >>

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series arrives in Toulouse at a very exciting time for rugby in France as the country is set to host Rugby World Cup 2023 ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 when France’s women will be hoping to repeat their impressive medal success achieved in Tokyo last year.

Before then, 2022 is a huge year for rugby sevens. Alongside the Series, the Commonwealth Games will take place in Birmingham, England on 29-31 July, and following the grand finale of the men’s Series in Los Angeles on 27-28 August, all eyes will turn to Cape Town, South Africa for what promises to be a record-breaking Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 on 9-11 September.

With the women’s series concluding on Sunday, participating teams present in Toulouse will attend the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series Awards in the evening to recognise and celebrate the achievements of those involved in the 2022 competition.

Having already clinched the title in Langford, Australian players are strong contenders for some of the prestigious awards. Fans are invited to vote for the Women’s Try of the Year winner between nominees Portia Woodman (New Zealand), Lily Dick (Australia) and Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe (Ireland) on World Rugby Sevens’ social media channels (https://twitter.com/WorldRugby7s). The ceremony will be hosted in Toulouse’s Centre des Congrès on the evening of Sunday 22 May.

With thanks to World Rugby

Aim

The first target was to get some meaningful cricket in before it was too late in the year.

Method

The ECB had already decided on the eight hubs that would be the future building blocks of women’s elite cricket in England. They were a vital addition between county and international levels. The former had remained too unwieldy, failing to act as a reliable step on the ladder towards England standards. Amateur players couldn’t find enough time to play regular cricket and work on their skills. Levels of performance varied too much. These had led to the sense of an elite cut off from the rest of the nation’s players.

All the hubs (or franchises) were newly formed, centred on first-class counties and drawing in neighbouring counties to ensure that other promising players had the chance to demonstrate their prowess.

Head coaches had little time to build their squads and formulate their plans, but they achieved them mightily. Elite players were moved around the country to even things up as much as possible. In the event it was the Sunrisers at Chelmsford who looked the most vulnerable. Even so, their players put in some worthy performances, but it was disturbing to read on 15 September that they were looking to appoint a Women’s Cricket Operations Executive.

There is an inherent weakness in franchises, identity. Players are drawn together from far afield. In a perfect world their names wouldn’t be drawn out of a hat to come together for such a limited period. Spectators (when they are allowed to exist) enjoy the sense of local partisanship that comes from seeing familiar faces performing great deeds together. But needs must…

Status

The award of retainers made a startling difference to the players involved. It offered them some security in the game and a recognition of their worth. It meant too that they could afford the time to play more cricket. That lack had been a central block on progress. Now matches could take place in midweek, helping to intensify the whole experience.

Format

50-over games were exactly what was needed. They have given the players the time and space to develop their skill-sets to produce the level of cricket needed at the top of the game.

Bridging the gap between levels

In broad terms there are now four tiers of cricket for women: club – county – regional hub – national. Each step-up means a huge advance in quality for every player. The gap between county and national levels had been too great. That new intermediate one is a vital extra cog in the England machine, one that was overdue. The pathway from beginner’s stage (at school or club) to an international cap should now be straight and well lit.

Selectors have been able to take a long hard look at the talent available. Of the group of more experienced players, three captains made memorable interventions: Georgia Adams (Vipers) had a wonderful series with the bat and added testing overs of off-spin. Sophie Luff (Storm) likewise scored heavily and bowled useful overs. Tash Farrant led her Stars with great skill, marshalling her uneven forces with wide-awake decision-making. Her bowling too was back to its international best.

At the other end of the scale teenagers entered the fray like a breath of fresh air. Ella McCaughan, close to her 18th birthday, looked very composed in scoring three 50s. the 16-year-old Grace Scrivens made a bold 72 late in proceedings. Nat Wraith added her name to the list of highly promising keepers the country possesses.

To repeat a point made in the past: the absence of overseas players has been totally beneficial. it’s all very well saying that such-and-such an Australian/South African/New Zealand star had a great effect on everyone in the dressing-room, but in the KSL their presence on the field – batting or bowling – denied English hopefuls the chance to shine. One overseas player who did make a positive mark was Sterre Kalis, the young Dutch cricketer who has played in Australia. Her presence was a reminder of how the ICC needs to support tier-2 nations to the hilt.

One major difficulty – partly the fault of the pandemic – is bridging the gap between hub level (results in the RHF Trophy) and international acceptance. Even if Covid-19 had not visited us, would any of the top players in the trophy have been invited along to Loughborough to test their abilities?

Another difficulty is familiar to women’s sports that are introducing professionalism: how to occupy the England players when they are not competing internationally – which is most of the time. They must be brought back into the national system, whatever form that will take in the future; but then their standards may well be too much for their amateur opponents. They dominated the first two rounds, showing how vital it is for the quality gap to narrow.

Performances

Over the six group rounds teams were composed in three different ways: in the first two everyone was available; then the England training squad bubbled in Loughborough; finally the players not selected for the squad to face the West Indies returned to strengthen their sides.

On the field the performances speak for themselves. The weather was mostly kind; the batters made hay; bowlers stuck to their task well; players at every level of experience seized their chance to shine. This is exactly what the brains at headquarters had been hoping for. They deserve huge congratulation.

The Leading Stats in the Group Matches

Batting (6 innings only)

Georgia Adams        420 runs average 84.00 highest score 154*
Sarah Bryce              395 runs average 79.00 highest score 136*
Sophie Luff              339 runs average 67.00 highest score 104*
Eve Jones                 334 runs average 66.00 highest score 115*

Adams went on to reach exactly 500 runs in the final.

Six hundreds were scored:

In addition to the four above:

Georgia Hennessy 105 (she also had an analysis of 4-31; the outstanding all-rounder performance)
Nat Sciver 104

Loughborough Lightning made the highest total, 303-5. The lowest, 98, was registered by South East Stars. Both those sides experienced the other end of the scale: Stars also made 289-9; Lightning 116!

Bowling (minimum 20 overs)

Charlotte Taylor     9 wickets at 13.11
Dani Gregory          5 wickets at 14.80
Lauren Bell             7 wickets at 15.43
Kathryn Bryce       14 wickets at 15.43

Two bowlers took 5 wickets in an innings:

Katherine Brunt 5-20
Kathryn Bryce 5-29
But Alex Hartley’s analysis of 10-5-8-4 against Lightning is the most startling of all.
Charlotte Taylor finished the series with the most wickets: 15 at 10.13; Her 6-34 in the final outdid the two 5-fers above.

Coverage

The series was widely covered, though not consistently. This was a vital ingredient in the organisers’ recipe – to make the women’s game accessible to the widest possible audience. So matches were televised, live-streamed and broadcast on radio. There was considerable variety in the quality available – in camera-flexibility, commentating skills and so on – but the overall impression was one of huge willingness to create a winning spectacle.

It would be fascinating to discover the viewing and listening figures across the various media outlets.

With the England-West Indies series running concurrently, the Trophy helped to redress the deprivation all lovers of the game had suffered during the long summer of NO CRICKET!

Hartpury will host a Team Bath Netball Academy Development Centre (ADC) on its Gloucestershire campus for the next two years, joining the network of Team Bath Netball ADCs across the region.

Hartpury Netball Academy Manager Holly Duerden welcomed the move and said it marks the first step for ‘more young people to take their netball to the next level’.

Team Bath Netball Academy Manager Natalie Roddy, who heads up the provision of ADCs across the South West as part of the University of Bath-based netball Superleague Club, agrees: “This is a fantastic and energising development for 15-18 year-olds. They will be able to tap into the renowned facilities and expert resources of two West Country sporting powerhouses.”

U18 players joining the ADC at Hartpury, where there are top-flight facilities and a performance environment including a new double-court netball hall, have the opportunity to trial for places into Team Bath U17 or U19 Academy squads.

Duerden added: “The great thing is that this is an extension of a continuing atmosphere of collaboration between Bath and Hartpury to the good of netballers themselves. It will open up significant opportunities and will help us to develop together players of the likes of Sam Cook and Paige Reed, who both have strong Hartpury connections.”

Players will also be able to access visits to Team Bath to feel what it’s like to work with Superleague coaches and international medal-winning athletes like Eboni Usoro-Brown, Sophie Drakeford-Lewis and Imogen Allison.

Duerden continued: “We’re absolutely delighted to have strengthened our already successful association with Team Bath in this way.

“As a new base for a Team Bath Netball ADC we look forward to providing opportunities for our students looking to benefit from our strong links with major sports organisations, as players or team support staff, such as coaches, analysts or physiotherapists.”

In the past season, Hartpury netball players were Gloucestershire County U-19 champions, South West Netball Regional U19 champions, and runners-up at the England Netball National Schools U19 Championships. In addition, they formed the squad who were named AoC West Midland champions and had also reached the semi-finals of the AoC Sport National Netball Cup.

Marc Richards, Assistant Director of Elite Sport at Hartpury, added: “This is an exciting relationship for Hartpury and will add value for our students both in the delivery of their courses and in the performance environment featuring our recent multi-million facility addition and our performance support delivery including physiotherapy, sport science, strength and conditioning and performance analysis.”

Team Bath Netball, meanwhile, are five-times Superleague Champions and were heading the table when this year’s Superleague was curtailed by Covid-19. More than 100 players have emerged from Team Bath to take full or age-group international honours in the past three decades.

Recent Individual honours for Hartpury included international selection for Ellen Morgan, who was named in the Wales senior netball squad, and Nia Evans, Sophie Margetts and Martha Scott, who were named in the Wales U21 netball squad.

As well as top-level coaching and exceptional sports facilities, students at both Hartpury and Bath have access to performance services that can include physiotherapy, sports psychology, nutrition advice, lifestyle support, and strength and conditioning. Both have biomechanics and other ancillary facilities.

Team Bath Netball Franchise Manager Alicia John said: “As we move into our fourth year and the next phase of our academy programme, we are incredibly excited to have Hartpury on board. As like-minded organisations, working together, we will continue to build a strong performance culture that will both nurture and challenge Blue and Gold stars of the future.”

Courtesy of the Team Bath Press Office at Matchtight

What needs changing? The shape of the ball? No. the laws of the game? Probably. The general attitude to women playing rugby? Certainly!

Packed stand at the Stoop (Photo: Bruce Perkins)

Harlequins have been campaigning strongly for several months. Their chosen slogan: ‘The Game Changer’.

With a similar campaign last year they attracted 4542 people to the Stoop to see them struggle to beat neighbours Richmond. That attendance was higher than the then international record for the Stoop. This year they selected the very last round of the Tyrrells for the big push.

It was the most publicised club game in the history of Women’s rugby in England. And the crowds rolled up to set a new record of 4,837.

The only thing missing was a tight contest. Gloucester-Hartpury (hereafter G-H) have been boxing above their weight for two seasons. They have highly talented players on their register, but where it counts, up front, they’ve struggled to match their strongest opponents. And so it proved today.

They were unlucky with their injuries: we were denied the pleasure of seeing Kelly Smith matching up against Jess Breach; Zoe Aldcroft, their captain, has been missing most of the season; Georgia Brock was a late cry-off, and when Mo Hunt was an early casualty with a head injury from a tackle on Vickii Cornborough, you sensed the world was against them in the clamour of the Game Changer. She failed her HIA.

Photo: Bruce Perkins

G-H’s best chance of the first half came after a fine handling move down the right. They reached close to the line and managed to shove Quins’ pack back, but Jade Konkel controlled the ball and drove towards safety on the 22.

The partisan crowd had to wait 13 minutes for the first score, and surprise, surprise, it came to Heather Cowell, bringing up her 20th try of the Tyrrells season. with an elusive run down the right touchline. From there Ellie Green coolly popped another conversion over.

Cornborough drove through from a long way out to hoist the second try. Green converted, but an attempted air-pass from her fell to Tatyana Heard; she flew to the Quins’ 5-metre line, but from there the G-H pack again showed their limitations. They had several bites at the cherry, but in the end the ball squirted out into the in-goal area. Two seconds later  – well, actually it was 32 – Quins had scored at the other end! Emily Scott slalomed brilliantly to her 10-metre line; three long passes left and Breach could climb on her horse. Two defenders collided trying to stop her and the result was what we expect these days. The move was worth the entrance fee on its own.

An outstanding offload by Abbie Scott let Leanne Riley hoist a searching kick to the right wing, but this time Cowell was dealt with.

So sure were Quins of their scrummaging power that they didn’t bother with a penalty kick. They destroyed another G-H scrum, then – Green kicked the penalty.

Another stunning try through the middle was created by forwards spotting tiny chinks in the armour. Then Cornborough capped a wonderful break with an offload to Riley reminiscent of Romane Ménager’s in the game against England. No higher praise…

Another seven points.

Half-time: 31-0

G-H claim a lineout (Photo: Bruce Perkins)

The second half took its allotted course. Sadly, Beth Randall suffered an arm injury that led to a lengthy delay and an end to her game.

A searching punt by Green was reclaimed by Quins, they got over the line but were held up. Charlotte Faux earned a yellow in the process, so the next scrum meant an easy 7-pointer to follow.

Rachael Burford sent the defence the wrong way with a feint, then fed Breach. G-H did outstandingly well to haul her in.

They responded with some of the brisk handling that has brought them so many points this season. Khadidja Camara was yellowed for a high tackle; the visitors were briefly on the front foot. But it couldn’t last: Chloe Butler was on the end of another major Quins’ attack.

The latter stages were marred by the reading of a law that needs immediate adjustment: the deliberate knock-on. First, Burford was decreed to have sinned when all she did was have the ball bounce forward off her as she held an opponent. An extraordinary decision. The referee promptly walked Quins back another 10 metres.

Two minutes later, exactly the same situation: as Emily Scott attempted a pass, G-H’s tight-head, Katie Dougan, found the ball flying off her. She was dismissed. A quite baffling decision, completely contrary to common justice and common sense.

The two alleged miscreants allowed themselves a mutual smile of disbelief as they sat side by side.

Davinia Catlin finished off two moves as the Quins reserves overwhelmed the G-H scrum. Quins were running riot now. Deborah McCormack was the last to add her name to the scorecard.

Result: Quins 62 Gloucester-Hartpury 0

Player of the match: Vickii Cornborough

Quins deserve huge congratulations for the success of the day: a sumptuous 82-page programme, a maxi-sized flag, more flag-wavers than you can throw a stick at – how appropriate that they were wearing Barbarian colours – , and a non-stop PA chorus of COYQ! – fortissimo. Add to that, almost every girl below the age of 20 from SW London seemed to be in attendance.

Other Results:

Richmond 0 Lightning 46

Saracens 64 Waterloo 0

Wasps 25 Bristol 17

Worcester 26 DMP 20

Achievement of the Day: the Valkyries’ second win on the trot and their first at home in the Tyrrells.

Three female officials (Photo: Bruce Perkins)

A mile or two up the road from the Stoop Richmond, the second-oldest open club in Britain, enjoyed a crowd that hadn’t received the same kind of publicity. A few more miles north another famous club was infested by several swarms-worth of visitors as Wasps laid on a really big day of rugby and sundry entertainments for past and present players and families. They achieved the one other tightish result to build confidence before the play-off against Sarries.

Bristol’s season finishes on a down beat: there is plenty of talent in the squad, but they haven’t been able to string wins together as they would have hoped.

Loughborough proved too strong for Richmond, but when you have three players of the exalted status of Sarah Hunter, Katy Daley-Mclean and Emily Scarratt on your books, it’s almost a racing certainty. Even so, they didn’t run away with the game as Quins had done earlier. They will need to be at their best to hold off a Quins squad running into some serious form.

Sarries have suffered a blow in losing Vicky Fleetwood, Bryony Cleall and Marlie Packer for the duration. Right through the two seasons of the Tyrrells their back-up forces have proved too strong for everyone else. Wasps downed their colours last year, but would need the stars to align to repeat the achievement.

Jamie Cooke and Joe Choong finished 4^th in the Men’s Relay at the Senior European Championships in Sofia today, agonisingly missing out on a podium position by a single second in their final appearance before the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. It came after Jo Muir and Georgia Pipes, both making their Senior European Championships debut, had finished 7^th in the Women’s relay on the opening day of the Championships yesterday (Monday 4^th July).

Team GB 2016 Olympians Cooke and Choong started in the pool where they clocked a scintillating 200m time of 1:47.94, nearly 3.5 seconds quicker than any other team. The duo then finished level in their fencing with 24 victories and 24 defeats, 14 of those victories coming courtesy of 21 year old Choong. This left the Brits in 2^nd at the end of the morning, 7 seconds behind leaders Russia.

As can often be the case in modern pentathlon, the ride proved critical with 5 knockdowns and 7 time penalties meaning the two Brits picked up 258 points, slipping to 6^th in the overall standings ahead of the combined event and leaving them with a battle to make the podium.

The closing run-shoot discipline proved to be an exhilarating affair with a thrilling battle for the silver medal behind the Russian duo Aleksander Lesun and Alexander Savkin. The Czech Republic eventually held on to their starting position of 2^nd, finishing one second ahead of 3^rd place Poland, with the Pentathlon GB duo a further second behind in 4^th.

In yesterday’s Women’s Relay, Muir and Pipes began their competition with a 2:08.29 swim, the 6^th quickest of the day. This was followed by 19 victories in their fencing ranking round – 13 for Dumfries’ Muir and 6 for Easingwold’s Pipes – leaving the young British duo in 8^th position after the opening two disciplines.

With many teams struggling in their rides, 279 points – including a clear round from Pipes – lifted the British duo to 6^th ahead of the combined event. A time of 13:12.29 in their run-shoot meant the Senior European Championships debutants crossed the line in 7^th.

Both women will be back in action later in the week with Pipes competing in the Mixed Relay alongside James Myatt tomorrow (Wednesday 6^th July) and Muir taking part in the Women’s Individual event with qualifying on Thursday (7^th July).

Pentathlon GB have sent a very strong team to this week’s Senior European Championships in Sofia, including all four Team GB 2016 Olympians – Samantha Murray, Kate French, Jamie Cooke and Joe Choong. The quartet will be looking to finalise their Rio de Janeiro preparations and will form part of a 10 strong team heading to the Bulgarian capital.

Murray and French will take part in the Women’s individual competition where they will be joined by 21 year old Joanna Muir. Muir, who claimed silver alongside Murray in the Women’s Relay at the World Championships in May, will once again start her competition in the team event, this time alongside Junior athlete Georgia Pipes.

Meanwhile, Cooke and Choong will compete alongside each other in the Men’s Relay in Sofia. Sam Curry and Tom Toolis, who both competed at the World Championships in Moscow, will once again take part in the Men’s individual competition. They will be joined by Luke Tasker and James Myatt who will both be making their second international appearances of the year.

Kent born Myatt will also compete in the Mixed Relay alongside Yorkshire’s Pipes.

Full team:

Women’s team:

• Samantha Murray, 26, from Clitheroe, Lancashire
• Kate French, 25, from  Gravesend, Kent
• Joanna Muir, 21, from Dumfries, Dumfriesshire
• Georgia Pipes, 20, from Easingwold, Yorkshire

Men’s team:

• Sam Curry, 22, from Salfords, Surrey
• Tom Toolis, 23, from Hornchurch, Essex
• Luke Tasker, 22, from Clitheroe, Lancashire
• James Myatt, 25, from Maidstone, Kent
• Jamie Cooke, 25, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
• Joe Choong, 21, from Orpington, London

Full competition schedule:

Monday 4^th July – Women’s Relay

Tuesday 5^th July – Men’s Relay

Wednesday 6^th July – Mixed Relay

Thursday 7^th July – Women’s Individual Qualification

Friday 8^th July – Men’s Individual Qualification & Women’s Final Fencing

Saturday 9^th July – Women’s Final & Men’s Final Fencing

Sunday 10^th July – Men’s Final

Report courtesy of Pentathlon GB

Source: Clare Green for Matchtight

The Web Ellis cup tour comes to The University of Bath

Bath Rugby head coach Mike Ford was in the audience to see the energetic performance from youngsters at Oldfield Park Primary School and the BANES Youth Dance Company.

All the children then had chance to have their photograph taken with the Webb Ellis Cup, as did members of the public and University of Bath staff.

The Sports Training Village was the first stop on Day 33 of the nationwide Trophy Tour, building up to the start of the Rugby World Cup on September 18.

“Having the World Cup trophy come to Bath makes the arrival of the World Cup in England real,” said Ford, who was assistant coach when England reached the final in 2007.  The only time you ever usually see the trophy is on TV with some superstar lifting it above his head so for the kids to get so close to such an iconic trophy is inspirational. The World Cup is going to be huge. It’s going to be a fantastic tournament and I expect England to do really well.”

England trained at the University of Bath ahead of the 2007 competition and this year Australia will be honing their preparations at the Sports Training Village.

“The facilities here are second to none – we got to a World Cup final on the back of training here,” Ford added.  “Australia are a world-class side and they pick their venues really, really well. They’ll enjoy their time here.”

The Wallabies’ forthcoming visit to Bath was reflected by some Australian themes in the dance routine, choreographed by Fleur Hoefkens and Dan Martin of the BANES Youth Dance Company.

“The dance was incredible,” said Martin. “Our first rehearsal was just a month ago and that was as single group. Today was the first time we’ve done it all together and it was very inspirational to watch.”

Hoefkens added: “The dancers all went off and were taught by their separate teachers, so to come together to perform like that worked really well. They all performed fantastically.”

The dance routine was unique on the Trophy Tour and was filmed for possible inclusion in the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup.

Stephen Baddeley, Director of Sport at the University of Bath, said: “There was a lovely energy and vitality about the children, and they really brought the dance alive. It was a privilege to have the trophy here and to start to set the scene for September.  We’ve had Wimbledon yesterday, the Ashes, the Women’s World Cup and now we’re looking forward to the rugby, so this summer has really generated enthusiasm in sport.”

Members of the public also took the opportunity to grab a picture with the trophy, which was on the display outside the Sports Training Village.

“It’s great to see the trophy up close and personal,” said Aidan Smith. “Having the trophy here and then the World Cup should hopefully have the same effect as the Olympics had where everyone can get behind the team and they can put in a few good performances.”

Ian Smith added: “You wouldn’t see the football World Cup coming around like this. There’s a different culture, a different ethos, in rugby.”

As well as the Trophy Tour and the Australian Team Base, there are three players with University of Bath links who could feature at the Rugby World Cup.

Louis Mulholland, a first-year Economics student, has been named in the USA’s 50-man training squad and Bath Rugby players Rob Webber and Dom Day, who both coach at the University of Bath, are in the England and Wales training squads respectively.

Report courtesy of Team Bath press office at Matchtight Ltd.