Graham has a winning touch
WOMEN’S RUGBY
Alnwick-based Tracey Graham (second from left in front row) was part of the Irish Barbarians W27 touch rugby side which contested the Senior Touch Rugby Cup in Lisbon
TRACEY Graham showed a real touch of class as she impressed on her international debut, writes TONY HODGSON.
Alnwick-based Graham was part of the Irish Barbarians’ W27 touch rugby side which contested the Senior Touch Rugby Cup at Lisbon University.
The squad – consisting of 13 over27 players from across Europe – played seven matches over two days and registered two victories.
Alnwick Ladies’ player Graham played her part by scoring five tries – three against Ireland, one against England and one against hosts Portugal.
She said: “It was an incredible experience.
“The standard, speed and intensity of matches was like nothing I had experienced before.
“Barely any of us knew each other – we did not even have a chance to meet each other or exchange names beforehand.
“We competed against the best
European teams and managed to win against Portugal and Ireland and gave the other teams tough opposition they did not expect.
“A large number of ladies playing in this tournament had played in the World Cup in Malaysia earlier this year.
“To be playing alongside and against these players was an opportunity I would have never believed possible.
“Who knows if anything will progress from this but experiencing it has been an opportunity of a lifetime.
“For any person involved in sport, playing at international level is a dream and I have managed to live that.”
Graham’s call-up comes little over a year after she first took up touch rugby.
She added: “I only joined Alnwick Ladies in February 2018, playing in local friendly tournaments and in winter and summer leagues.
“Earlier this year I had the opportunity to go to Catterick for trials for the North East Raiders team and was selected for its over-35 squad.
“I played for them in Nottingham and then received a text to say I had been called up by the Barbarians.”