A glowing Susie Appleby with Georgia Stevens, receives Paul Morgan's congratulations!


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.Maire Kerrin and Friends celebrate her try!

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.

The Casuals after the game!"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

CliftonClifton heroine, Susie Appleby!

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