Clifton Ladies take
National Cup out of London
Clifton Ladies defeated Nottingham Medoc Casuals 54-7 today in the
2002 RFUW Rugby World National Cup Final at Franklin Gardens, the home
of Northampton Saints. The match, televised live on Sky Sports television,
kicked off at 12:05 as a curtain raiser to the Northampton v Gloucester
men's premiership clash.
Clifton,
despite the absence of England World Cup players Georgia Stevens and Selena
Rudge, still boasted thirteen capped international players. Their greater
experience and fitness was evident from the start, giving them the edge
in the forwards, which in turn created an excellent platform for their
impressive back line. Although Nottingham battled bravely in the loose
and former England international Kate Knight at fly-half put in an awesome
defensive performance, the northerners could not compete with the pace
and power of Clifton's wide runners.
By halftime the West Country side led by 39-0, after tries from centres
Shannon Baker and Clare Flowers, wing Anne Marie Douglas, no.8 Pip Minto
and two by fullback Non Evans. Douglas started the ball rolling again
with a second try just after halftime. Shortly after, however, Nottingham
managed to drive deep into Clifton's territory and persistent pressure
right on the line put Irish international centre Maire Kerrin over for
the try. Knight's conversion brought the score to 44-7. Further Clifton
tries from Douglas, to complete her hat-trick, and Fiona Britten on the
other wing brought the score to 54-7 on 65 minutes. Despite a Nottingham
resurgence in the final quarter, the score remained unchanged by the final
whistle.
With this victory, Clifton become the first club to take the National
Cup out of London, as the competition has been dominated since it's inception
in 1987 by the three big London clubs Saracens, Richmond and Wasps. Clifton
have in recent years won the Premier Division One league title and the
National Sevens, the other two big trophies in the women's game. The Cup
now completes the set.
The Rugby World Player of the Match was awarded to Clifton no.8 Pip Minto,
whose try and impressive work-rate throughout the game helped Clifton
dominate proceedings. Paul Morgan, editor of Rugby World magazine, presented
her with a cheque for £250.
"We
were so disappointed playing in the Cup Final two years ago when we narrowly
lost to Richmond," said Minto. "Nottingham were really up for
it and we knew we were in for a hard game, but it's great to take the
Cup to the West instead of the North."
Record of Scoring
5-0 Try for Clifton from
no.15 Non Evans (7 mins)
10-0 Try for Clifton from no.13 Shannon Baker (10 mins)
17-0 Try for Clifton from no.14 Anne Marie Douglas, converted by no.15
Non Evans (14 mins)
24-0 Try for Clifton from no.12 Clare Flowers, converted by no.15 Non
Evans (24 mins)
29-0 Try for Clifton from no.15 Non Evans (31 mins)
34-0 Try for Clifton from no.12 Clare Flowers (33 mins)
39-0 Try for Clifton from no.8 Pip Minto (40 mins)
44-0 Try for Clifton from no.14 Anne Marie Douglas (45 mins)
44-7 Try for Nottingham
from no.13 Maire Kerrin, converted by no.10 Kate Knight (50 mins)
49-7 Try for Clifton from no.14 Anne Marie Douglas (55 mins)
54-7 Try for Clifton from no.11 Fiona Britten (64 mins)
Squad Lists
Nottingham
1. Sue Jones
2. Sian Hill
3. Adele Jones
4. Emma Dresser
5. Angela Watson
6. Denise Leavesley
7. Sarah Cotterill
8. Helen Lucas
9. Michelle Colgrave
10. Kate Knight (Captain) [England international]
11. Leah Plant-George
12. Anna Berry
13. Maire Kerrin [Irish international]
14. Jo Mason
15. Linsay Munroe
16. Claire Sanford - repl. Sarah Coterill (54 mins)
17. Trudy Winterbone - repl. Sue Jones (15 min)
18. Catherine Stibbs - repl. Helen Lucas (73 mins)
19. Ami Jones - repl. Denise Leavesley (49 mins)
20. Kathryn Snell - repl. Anna Berry (49 mins)
21. Jennifer White - repl. Michelle Colgrave (73 mins)
Coaches: Mark Buckley (Head); Kate Knight (Backs); Paul Watson (Forwards)
Physio: Kathryn Snell
Clifton
1. Dawn Mason [Welsh international]
2. Louella Yorke
3. Katherine Lenaghan [Welsh international]
Clifton Ladies first to
take National Cup out of London../4
4. April Dent [Welsh international]
5. Liza Burgess (Captain) [Welsh international]
6. Jo Poore [England international]
7. Jackie Morgan [Welsh international]
8. Pip Minto [Welsh international]
9. Ali Newall [Scotland international]
10. Susie Appleby [England international]
11. Fiona Britten [England international]
12. Clare Flowers [Welsh international]
13. Shannon Baker
14. Anne Marie Douglas
15. Non Evans [Welsh international]
16. Amy Pryce
17. Irena Dzisiewska - repl. Katherine Lenaghan (49 mins)
18. Sara Tucker - repl. Shannon Baker (71 mins)
19. Lianne Leech
20. Emma Woods
21. Hilary Bosman
22. Rhonnie Owens [Welsh international] - repl. Ali Newall (40 mins)
Manager: Sarah Treweek
Coach: Mark Perego
Physio: James Noble
For further information on the RFUW, please visit www.rfu-women.co.uk
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