Basford Girls shine at Regional.

This year, Basford again had many of their girls away representing the East Region both in the regional heats and the Festival at Litchfield last weekend.

At U15 level we were represented by
Abbie Cook
Maddy Lockwood
Yasmin Pemberton
Lucie Wood
Olivia Stembridge (Captain)
Layla Pickering
Hannah McCready

U18's representing East were
Rachel French
India Harvey
Frances Hughes
Frank Jordan
Fi Jordan
Jen Mugglestone
Emily Scott
Sam Smith
Jemma Sommers
Jessica Wilkins

For some of the girls it was their first taste of Regional Rugby and for others their final taste before moving up to the Senior programme.
Each girl should be proud of their achievements as they all played a part in ensuring that both Teams came away from the weekend as the best side in England.

The club also supplied the backbone of the Regional support staff this year with Paula Bates doing a fantastic role as the Team Manager for the U15's & U18's as well as assisting with the Seniors trials.
Our U15's Coaches Jeff Stembridge and Pete Turner were regional coaches under the lead coach Andy Hargraves of Eastern Counties.
Gavin Scott took on the role of Lead coach for the U18's assisted by Tony McClarnon (Both Basford) with the 3rd coach Simon Shutler of Saracens & Herts.
Thanks also to the team first Aider/Welfare officer Rebecca Burton Howard (Jock)

As Regional Programme Manager it has been a pleasure to work with the players and coaches over the last 12 weeks and especially pleasing to see Basford Girls playing such a large part in the East Region success.

Thanks also to the Basford Parents for the support given to the players during the regional heats and the finals.

Now its back to the small matter of both sides trying to bring more silverware back to the club by continuing their winning ways in the Kent & Surrey league.

Congratulations to all our girls and well done, you deserve it for all the hard work that you have put in

East Region take Honours.

East Region U15's Best Team in England (Official Ranking) 2008/9





East Region U18 Winners 2008/9

Last weekend saw the culmination of the Regional programme for the Youth section.

Saturday saw the U15's put up a terrific display to face Cardiff Blues in the Cup Final, despite going 10-0 down the East girls fought back to make it 10-10 before conceiding a try in the dying moments which handed the cup to Cardiff.
Parents and spectators alike could not fail to be impressed with the skills that were on show on the day, and non more so than in the 31-0 win over South West North in the semi final which saw East run in some fantastic tries following some sublime passing across the pitch to stretch their opponents.

All the girls should be proud of themselves for the way they raised the game and were unfortunate to come away as only runners up.

Congratulations to you all and well done.


Scores
East 10 South West South 7
East 27 North East 0

Semi Final
East 31 South West North 0

Final
East 10 Cardiff Blues 15


On the Sunday the U18's were in action and spured on by the U15's achievemnets the day before set out in what was a very tough group stage with a well earned 7-0 win against a very good Ospreys team.T he 2nd pool game saw the girls come up against neighbours South East in what was another very close game that East won 7-0.
The 2 victories put the girls through to the cup semi final against a well drilled South West South team. Following some excellent play from the whole team they ran out winners by 19 points to 5 to set up a cup final clash with one of the favourites the South Region.


A pulsating final saw the girls come away with a 19-3 win to take the trophy back to the region for the first time since 2004

The girls from all 3 counties within the region played their part in ensuring the trophy came home with them.

On a slightly sadder note, we have to report that one of the stars of the weekend Georgia Peedle suffered an injury in the final which later turned out to be a broken leg which we hear will keep her out for some time.

Another casualty was in the U15's where Sydney Grace who following a tackle, hurt her back and had to be taken to hospital, however following a check up no serious damage was found and She was able to get back to watch her team mates in the final and collect her runners up medal.

Scores
East 7 Ospreys 0
East 7 South East 0

Semi Final
East 19 South West South 5

Final
East 19 South 3