Women’s first touch rugby event proves big hit
SUNDAY saw Macclesfield Women’s Rugby welcome Ashbourne Women and Stockport Scarlets for their first touch rugby tournament, with more than 45 women taking part.
Each team having players with varying levels of experience, some with years and some with only weeks of rugby, it made for a great show of rugby and the development in the women’s game.
Macclesfield Women had 17 players making up their two teams; built of players returning from injury or who no longer play contact, and some debut players making their first appearance for Macclesfield.
The tournament started with mixed team games, of two groups, with players competing for their positions. It made for exciting rugby to watch before players took part in the finals.
Playing for 6th and 5th positions were Ashbourne’s A&B sides which made for a very quick game with both teams pushing hard for the try line; with a couple of quick breaks Ashbourne’s A team took 5th place.
Competing for the 3rd place position was Stockport A and Macclesfield B, playing a very fast-paced game with Macclesfield forcing gap in the line, allowing Chloe Newbigging to sprint for the line down the wing. Followed by a try from Hannah Naden after finding herself less than a meter from the line.
Finally facing each other for the 1st place position was Macclesfield
A and Stockport B, both having topped their groups. Macclesfield were strategic about their defence placing their quick players opposite a very fast and very talented Stockport player.
With Stockport playing a lot of pick and go phases, Macclesfield needed to be fast on their feet in defence, making sure to get back onside before making another tackle. Jasmine Wilson made a break down the middle after a beautiful dummy-pass through the opposition’s defence to score. Stockport returned to the game quickly, scoring a try to tie the game. Macclesfield were feeling the pressure to respond, and with only minutes left of the game Katie McCree was sent flying down the wing for Macclesfield’s second try, putting them back into the 1st place position. Macclesfield made sure that their defence was strong to keep Stockport out for the last play of the game.
Macclesfield will be back at home next Saturday facing Sheffield RUFC, they will be preparing on Tuesday for a very physical game and looking to build on their shape in the back line.