A SIZABLE crowd came along to watch a Wensleydale RUFC ladies’ team take to the field for the very first time.

After months of recruiting, learning the laws, hard work and dedicated training, the Wensleydale Heifers Ladies rugby team took on Stockton Ladies Seconds on Sunday at Cawkill Park, Leyburn.

With an optimistic air prevailing, the teams were evenly matched for the first few minutes with Stockton keeping the ball ensuring Wensleydale were kept busy tackling.

A more experienced Stockton side soon scored a couple of tries after drawing in the Wensleydale defence. However the crowd erupted with the biggest cheer of the day when Steph Bradley charged over, scoring the side’s first-ever try.

Despite a swirling breeze, fly half Tamsin Brown casually slotted a tricky conversion and at half time the teams went in at 15-7 to the visitors.

As the game progressed Wensleydale came close to scoring further tries on several occasions and did well in contested scrums. A full bench was utilised to the maximum which was soon emptied giving all their players valuable game time.

As the Wensleydale defence tired, Stockton scored twice more and at the final whistle the score was a creditable 7-25.

Team captain Tory Richardson said that there is a squad of approximately 25 ladies who form the Wensleydale Heifers – a name they chose themselves.

The players and the club’s coaching staff have all worked hard over recent months with the aim of playing what is a new sport for many; they hope to progress to fully-competitive games in the near future.

Any women interested in playing or supporting the team are welcome to come down to the club on Thursdays at 6.30pm, or see the website or Facebook Page.