November 28, 2005

The South West County Championship for girls reaches its climax this weekend with Devon taking on Somerset in the Under 17s final at Bridgwater & Albion on Sunday (kick-off 2.45pm).

Devon won their place in the final thanks to victory over Cornwall in The Tamar Cup earlier this month, while Somerset saw off challenges from Dorset & Wilts and Gloucestershire in the South West triangular tournament.

The Under 14s Cup will also be contested by Devon and Somerset (kick-off 130pm). Also in action on the day will be under 14 and under 17 teams from Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Dorset & Wilts

Girls who perform well at the South West County Championship final at Under 17s level could then be selected for regional squad trials in January, with a chance to also win a place in the Under 17s national squad.

RFUW rugby development manager for the South West, Katy Storie, said: “We have been delighted by the standard of rugby the girls have produced during this tournament and we are expecting an exciting finale on Sunday.

“Looking at the bigger picture the South West County Championship has provided an important development pathway for these young players who could go on to win regional or even national selection.”

Dave Turner, Devon’s coach and who has selected girls from Plymouth Albion, Exeter Saracens, Paignton, Cullompton, Tavistock and Bideford, added: “Girls’ rugby is still a relatively new sport, especially in Devon and Cornwall, and every one is working really hard to recruit new players and to get new teams off the ground. The standard of play is very good especially when you bear in mind the majority of these girls have only played rugby for about one season yet some of them are as good if not better than boys of a similar age who have played rugby since the age of seven.”

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