Grammar school's first girls' rugby team kicks off in style

THE first ever girls rugby team at Wisbech Grammar School has notched up a string of convincing victories. In a series of friendly matches during the national schools VIIs tournament at Rosslyn Park in London, the players in the under-18 girls team – w

THE first ever girls' rugby team at Wisbech Grammar School has notched up a string of convincing victories.

In a series of friendly matches during the national schools' VIIs tournament at Rosslyn Park in London, the players in the under-18 girls' team - who attended the competition as the first reserve team - achieved strong wins in all their matches, beating Richard Hale School 34-5, Hertford 42-7 and Hills Road 34-5.

The top try scorers were Rebecca Ford and Stephanie Hart, and the player of the day was Eleanor Deptford.

Head of boys' sport Mr Phillip Webb said: "The team played exciting rugby and showed great determination in defence, tackling ferociously."

In an earlier series of matches against Hills Road sixth form college, Cambridge, the girls had played four periods of 10 minutes on the Cambridge City 1st XV pitch, winning all four 10-0, 12-5, 12-10 and 22-7.

A very young under-18 boys' squad also competed in the national tournament at Rosslyn Park, losing in close games to St Benedict's, Ealing, and Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield, before defeating Bassaleg 24-14.

The boys' under-18 VII, including several under-16 players, also went to the Cambridge Sevens to defend their title.

They went through to the plate quarter-final, where they were victorious against Bishop's Stortford High School, but in the semi-final they were out-muscled by a physical Welbeck College team.

The under-13 boys'VII also performed strongly in the Berkhamstead tournament, winning matches against Boost School, St Benedict's, Ealing and Robert Clack, and losing to Dulwich College. The Grammar School boys lost to the eventual finalists in the quarter finals.