Eastern Counties Rugby Union

(photo thanks to Cat Goryn)

In play off against the winner of Championship North 2 for promotion to Championship North 1, one level below Premiership.

Shelford ladies started the year with a crop of new players who added numbers to training and match day squads, never mind sheer quality. The aim for the season had always been to win the league, and the first goal for this, was to get to Christmas unbeaten. After some amazing wins, home and away, the ladies did indeed make it to Christmas unbeaten, and the next challenge was to make it to the end of the season in similar fashion. This would be the only way the ladies could win the league, as there was fierce opposition from Lichfield ladies, who also had their own aspirations to win.

Whilst the they did manage to finish the league unbeaten (the only loss Lichfield suffered was at home to Shelford) there were the usual hiccups of losing players in key positions to injury, and work commitments. This showed even more determination and dedication by the team, with some people spending up to half of the season, playing out of position. Regardless of the challenges faced, every player had the same desire to win the league and pulled together to produce some outstanding performances, the most satisfying of which being the 10-12 win away against Lichfield. While the score line might not have been their highest of the season (60-0 at home against Deeping), it was undoubtably where they played their best rugby.

In play off against the winner of Championship North 2 for promotion to Championship North 1, one level below Premiership.

The ladies play on a Sunday afternoon, and are always happy to welcome people coming down to support.
Caoimhe Vallely
Ladies Team Manager