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The Hurricanes have survived all weathers so far in the all new Women’s Super League series, topping the table as they go into round three this Sunday at Moseley RFC, but now they await the Tornadoes challenge.
Amanda Bennett’s Hurricanes, based in Harpenden, have so far inflicted a 19-15 defeat on the South West Stormers and last weekend earned a gripping 10-10 draw against the Thunders (Nottingham University-based). With six points they head the league ladder, but England head coach Geoff Richards’ Tornadoes sit just one point adrift and will be looking to turn the tables ahead of the Christmas break.
The Super League series, a new tournament designed to provide a high level of intense competition and to consistently test the skills of the country’s top female players as England prepare for the Rugby World Cup in Canada next summer, has certainly provided some thrilling rugby so far and Bennett is expecting more of the same this Sunday.
She said: “After two rounds the series is clearly unfolding as a tough competition that provides an opportunity for players to experience fast and skillful rugby at a higher level. It is also providing some great rugby entertainment with tight games and close finishes.
“My team is currently top but we know it is going to get tougher. Snatching a draw last Sunday may have frustrated Graham Smith’s Thunder, but it was another demonstration of our tenacity and the phenomenal team spirit that has been visible in all our training and matches so far.
“We take on the Tornadoes next in a ‘top of the table’ clash. With individual and unit head to heads as well as the status of top team after three games I have no doubt both teams will be fired up and it will provide a spectacle for the spectators. Naturally a Hurricanes victory is predicted as the only undefeated team in Super League so far!”
Opposite number Richards added: “It is going to be another tough game for us this weekend and all the players will be doing their best to earn a victory over the undefeated Hurricanes.
“Away from the actual competition this series has certainly provided the players with the intended format of high intensity pressure matches which is what it is all about in a world year season.
“The players are developing their individual and decision making skills in a highly competitive environment and in doing so it not only raises the strength in depth of women’s rugby at the top end, but it will equip them to play at higher levels should they be selected.”
The Hurricanes kick-off against the Tornadoes at 12pm ahead of the Stormers versus Thunder clash at 145pm. Entry to all games is free.
Super League table:
Hurricanes 6
Tornadoes 5
Stormers 5
Thunder 2
THUNDER team: (coached by Graham Smith, RFUW England assistant coach)
1 Roz Crawley (Lichfield), 2 Ollie Poore (Lichfield), 3. Hannah Dawson (Thirsk), 4 Becky Essex (Worcester), 5 Tamara Taylor © (Thirsk), 6 Hannah Shields (Thirsk), 7 Jane Leonard (Thirsk), 8 Sarah Beale (Leo’s) 9 Jo Yapp (Worcester), 10 Katie McLean (Thirsk), 11 Lucy Lynch (Lichfield), 12 Shauna Vetch (Thirsk), 13 Kim Shaylor (Worcester), 14 Nicky Crawford (Worcester), 15 Jo Watmore (Thirsk). Replacements: 16 Ann O’Flynn (Lichfield), 17 Isabel Howard (Vale of Lune), 18 Kerry Barber (Worcester), 19 Helen Clewer (Thirsk), 20 Abi Mowbray (Thirsk), 21 Alice Lovitt (Worcester), 22 Debbie Mason (Lichfield)
TORNADOES (coached by Geoff Richards, RFUW England head coach)
1 Vanessa Huxford (Wasps), 2 Selina Rudge (Wasps), 3 Heidi Shelburg (Wasps), 4 Jenny Lyne (Richmond), 5 Jo McGilchrist (Wasps), 6 Shannon Baker (Richmond), 7 Maggie Alphonsi (Saracens), 8 Karen Jones (Wasps), 9 Susie Appleby (Clifton), 10 Shelley Rea (Wasps), 11 Tina Lee, 12 Rachael Burford (Henley), 13 Michaela Staniford (Henley), 14 Sarah Marsh (Wasps), 15 Sue Day (Wasps) C. replacements: 16 Clare Steer (Henley), 17 Hannah Farquharson (Richmond), 18 Rochelle Clark (Henley), 19 Laura Jenkins (Richmond), 20 TBC, 21 Sally Wise (Saracens), 22 Sarah Wakeford (Richmond)
HURRICANES (coached by Amanda Bennett)
1 Max Edwards (Saracens), 2 Amy Garnett (Saracens), 3 Vanessa Gray (Wasps), 4 Emma Dresser (Lichfield), 5 Jo Nicholson (Lichfield), 6 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield), 7 Helen Clayton (Saracens), 8 Sonia Green (Saracens), 9 Louisa Seymour (Saracens), 10 Karen Andrew (Saracens), 11 Kate Barnes (Old Albanians), 12 Amy Turner (Wasps), 13 Karina Page (Old Albanians), 14 Charlotte Barras (Lichfield), 15 Emily Ryall (Saracens). Replacements: 16 Samantha Dale (Worcester), 17 Emma Layland (Richmond), 18 Jenny Brightmore, 19 Sarah Hudson (Henley), 20 Natasha Fitt, 21 TBC, 22 TBC
STORMERS (coached by Gary Street, RFUW England Academy coach)
1 Clare Purdy (Wasps), 2 Katy Whyte (Worcester), 3 Katy Storie (Clifton), 4 Helen Durman (Saracens), 5 Rachael Vickers (Richmond), 6 Heather Fisher (Clifton), 7 Lois Moulding (Worcester), 8 Terri Cormack (Plymouth Albion), 9 Nolli Waterman (Henley), 10 Alice Richardson (Worcester), 11 Emily Cooke (Clifton), 12 Kim Oliver (Clifton), 13 Clare Allan (Worcester), 14 Clare Garrett (Navy), 15 Nancy Stone (Henley). Replacements: 16 Sophie Hemming (Clifton), 17 Natalie Binstead (Wasps), 18 Georgia Stevens (Clifton), 19 Catherine Spencer (Clifton),
20 Anna Shepherd (Plymouth Albion), 21 Amber Penrith (Worcester), 22 George Roberts (Avon).
Match Schedule:
Date Match Venue and KO
Sun 18th Dec Hurricanes v Tornadoes Moseley RFC 12 noon
Sun 18th Dec Stormers v Thunder Moseley RFC, 1.45pm
Fri 7th April Thunder v Hurricanes Sale RFC (TBC)
Sun 9th April Stormers v Tornadoes
(Possibility of Bristol on Saturday) Moseley RFC, 1.45pm
Fri 28th April Thunder v Stormers Sale RFC (TBC)
Sun 30th April Hurricanes v Tornadoes Wasps (TBC)
Sat 13th May Stormers v Hurricanes Twickenham (TBC)
Sun 14th May Tornadoes v Thunder Moseley RFC, 1.45pm
Please note: Venues and kick-off times could change, so check out www.rfu.com for all the latest fixtures.
Ends…
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