April Showers See Ladies Out of RFUW National Shie

By Mel Antao
April 5 2006

April can bring all types of weather from sunshine to thunder from fog & frost to mild muggy & drizzly days. So in one day the weather can change from springtime sunshine to winter sleet & snow and these were the conditions that Harlequin Ladies found themselves in as they played in the RFUW Shield.

Blackheath, Chesham and Supermarine were in Pool 1, with Harlequins playing Camberley and Trojans in Pool 2. Harlequins lost to Camberley 19-0 despite having the lions share of possession and territory, and to a very classy Trojans side 52-0.

Player/Coach Vicky Gallagher commented, “Knowing we are unable to play in the 2nd round, we used the cup as a very tough training session as the teams we faced are playing some great rugby at the moment. The players were given goals to take them out of their comfort zones, so they were trying out new moves and things they don't usually have the confidence to try in a game.

This by no means meant that we weren't taking things seriously. I was very pleased with the way that the players supported each other in their development and feel confident that we've come up with some new attacking options. With the league finished for the season, training from now on will focus on player development and I am confident that our supporters will see an increase in each player's skill levels next season.”

Supermarine and Trojans both go forward to the semi-finals of the RFUW National Shield against Waterloo and Loughborough on the 30 April 2006.


For more information about the Harlequin Ladies contact us on quinsladies@hotmail.com or through our website www.harlequinladies.co.uk.