Kingsbridge are National Champions!

Kingsbridge Rugby Club’s U18 Girls have stormed to victory against Liverpool St Helens, becoming National Cup Champions.

The team, captained by Daisy Womack, pulled it back to win 29-10 at Worcester’s Sixways Stadium on 1 May, after being 7-10 down at the break.

Talking about becoming champions, Daisy said: “It’s great, it’s lovely for the club and the team.”

There wasn’t a stand out player in her mind and it really was a true team performance.

She said: “Everyone played so well together. Some people had an insane game, some had their game of the season, but what made the difference was that everyone played together so well, we were all at the top of our games and it was a great team performance.”

Asked about a highlight from the match, Daisy picked the first try. “We were 10-0 down at that point, so it really lifted our heads and got us back into the game. It was great to have so much support too. Knowing we had a coachload of supporters travelling to watch, and more watching at home, really made a difference.

“I want to thank all our coaches, supporters and the club, they have all been amazing.”

Exeter Chiefs Women have just won the Allianz Premiership 15 competition, and I asked Daisy if having such a successful club close to home was a positive for young players like herself. She said it was “great for everyone” and gave young players “something to aim for”, as well as having a “great home team to support”.

Daisy, who is ageing out of the girls’ team this year has been offered an apprenticeship at Exeter Chiefs, is currently undecided over her next move, rugby-wise, but we wish her all the luck in the future.

The team are managed by Daisy’s mum Miranda Womack, as well as being coached by her dad Dean, and Miranda called the recent championship win a really “proud moment” and “a lovely way to end the season and my tenure as manager”.

She said: “The team have come through from when they started as U13s seven years ago and now to have won the championship is great, I’m so proud of them.”

Kingsbridge RFC was one of the first local clubs to really get on board with the women’s game early, and it has shown in their success over recent years.

Miranda said: “The club has always been really supportive of the women’s game. This year will see a lot of the older team members age out and move on to university or other places. In this team we have four capped U18 England players and four of the girls have been offered Exeter Chiefs apprenticeships, which is amazing.

Talking about having Exeter Chiefs to look up to, Miranda said: “A lot of the players, including Daisy, went to Exeter College for their rugby rather than finishing at KCC so it's so nice to have that Exeter Chiefs presence there. Some of the players regularly train there and they work closely together so it's great for the girls to be so close to such a successful women’s team.”

Miranda and Dean, alongside coach Cathy Walker, are stepping down from the girls’ team this year, but the coaching will continue with John Ryrie and Martin So.

Women’s rugby at KRFC is going from strength to strength, with an adult taster session held the other week attracting 30 people to come and have a go, with another taking place this Wednesday, 11 May, at 7pm. It will be held at Belle Hill pitch, call Emma on 07814 556188 or Sam on 07794 032586 for more information.

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