BERKSHIRE TEAMS ON THE BRINK OF HISTORY IN RESPECTIVE FINALS

BOTH Berkshire RFU Women and Men’s will prepare to play under the bright lights at Twickenham after qualifying for their respective finals.

Berkshire Women made history in their first division 1 (Gill Burns) County Championship by making it through to the finals for the first ever time.

Having had the heartache of losing out in the semi-finals on three separate occasions in the past, Berkshire got over that hurdle this year and will now compete at the home of English rugby with a trophy on the line.

The Berkshire side is filled with talent including players from both Reading and Reading Abbey and will now prepare to take on Leicestershire RFU Women in the final of the competition.

Berkshire RFU captain Annette Bevan said: “We’re excited, but we know we have work to do to tighten up our play in the last two training sessions. Playing at Twickenham with the best facilities in England will be very special. We believe we can win, and we will do our very best to achieve that.”

Berkshire RFU Men’s also achieved the feat of making it to a County Championship final for the first time in 20 years.

Berkshire will face Oxfordshire County in the Bill Beaumont Men’s County Championship division three final.

Captain of the team and young Rams RFC player Max Hayman said: “After what has been a ling season but getting to the final is a great way to see the season out and hopefully we can end it with a big performance and a win. I will just be telling the boys to enjoy it. Last game of the season, the first final in 20 years that will set the tone for the next 20, whatever the result at the end of the 80 minutes, just enjoy it.”

Berkshire Men’s team will play Oxforshire at Richmond RFC on Saturday, June 4 (12.15pm kickoff), while Berkshire Women face Leicestershire at Twickenham on the same day (1pm kick-off) with both finals offering free entry to spectators.