Preview: Durham Ladies announce squad to take on East Midlands RFU at Peterborough RUFC
Preview: Durham Ladies announce squad to take on East Midlands RFU at Peterborough RUFC
Durham County Ladies set for the road as they prepare to take on East Midlands RFU in the Gill Burns Campaign.
Last week saw the Durham Ladies step out in front of a warming home crowd, against current champions, Lancashire.
The visitors showed their dominance in areas of the game that Durham were unable to match, running in 27-5 winners at Hartlepool RFC.
Durham return to the field on Saturday as they take on East Midlands at Peterborough RUFC.
Dave Addison, Durham Ladies Coach, said: “We are really pleased with our squad of players, we showed on Sunday that we can match anyone in the competition last week against, Lancashire.
“Last week we competed admirably, we lost out captain and both scrum halves to injury and it affected our shape.
“We struggled to turn our possession and chances into points.”
Durham are yet to face opponents, East Midlands in the County Championships. Last week this weekend’s hosts, lost out 17-3 to hosts North Midlands RFU.
Speaking about the game ahead, Addison added; “We are looking to get a win away, this weekend.
“The hosts lost out last weekend, so we know they will be looking for the same.
“Our aim for the season, was to finish higher than in previous season and hopefully North Midlands can do us a favour and beat Lancashire.
“All of our focus is on a tough away game and to play positive and entertaining rugby.”
Training has continued this week at Hartlepool RFC as Durham have looked to continue to turn their shapes and moves into an effective game plan as a team.
In the opening fixture, the Durham Ladies were victims to their own mistakes as they missed out on scoring opportunities in the 22.
Addison commented: “At this level, we need to take our chances and be clinical in attack and defence.
“If we get good field position and do not execute it, good teams will capitalise on this, as did Lancashire.
“We have had to learn this the painful way, but heading into Saturday’s game, we need to leave it as a lesson learnt.
“The squad are more than capable to play the rugby that will win games, we just need to believe.”
The ladies to make the trip are as follows; Emily Hunter (Darlington Mowden Park), Alex Webster (Darlington Mowden Park), Lauren Rigby (Darlington Mowden Park), Jess Cheesman (Darlington), Sarah Hall (Darlington), Ellie Pigford (Hartlepool Rovers), Olivia Davison (Sunderland Flames), Amber Stonehouse (Sunderland Flames), Claudia McDonald (Darlington Mowden Park), Clarissa Murphy (Sunderland Flames), Kirsty Paterson (Sunderland Flames), Tara Breslin (Sunderland Flames), McKenzie Thomas (Darlington Mowden Park), Ursula Hardy (Darlington), Treen Hardy (Sunderland Flames), Julie Noble (Sunderland Flames), Dannielle Coulton (Hartlepool Rovers), Michaela Theaker (Darlington), Rachael Knight (Sunderland Flames), Vicky Murphy (Sunderland Uni), Tammy Theaker (Darlington), Olivia Rowe (Darlington Mowden Park), and travelling reserves Becca Walker (Sunderland Flames) and Chelsea Burger (Hartlepool Rovers).
The game will kick off at Peterborough RUFC on Saturday May, 5 from 2pm.