Cheshire breeze as North girls triumph NORTHUMBERLAND'S under-15 girls; Adders prove a touch of class.

NORTHUMBERLAND'S under-15 girls side claimed an impressive 24-2 victory at Cheshire in their first game of the new county rugby season.

The squad, comprising players from the Morpeth, Tynedale, Alnwick, Ponteland and Rockliffe clubs, was playing its first match trgether - and for some of it was a first taste of cometiive rugby.

Northumberland got off to a fantastic start, crossing the line after just two minutes after strong running from Rosie Court.

The visitors were impressive in the early stages and extended their lead when Amy Bailey used her pace to run clear of the Cheshire defence to claim a second try.

Northumberland could have extended their lead further after good work from the forwards, but knocked on as they broke free looking to claim a third try. That third try did arrive, however, as Court again used her pace to go over the line for the second time.

After the interval Cheshire began to mount pressure on the visitors' back line, but strong tackling from Lindsey Tait stopped many of the promising attacks from the home side.

Cheshire did eventually force a breakthrough, but that was matched by a great response from Northumberland when Jess Garrick crossed the line after forcing an error from the Cheshire defence.

Sarah Foster successfully kicked the conversion, which was her second of the match.

The home side went on to grab a late try but it was too little too late.

Northumberland are back in action against Lancashire at Alnwick RFC on Sunday (1.30) before facing Yorkshire at Scarbrough.

Girls' rugby is proving increasingly popular across the region.

A new merit league ses clubs from Nothumberland Durham, Cumbria and Scotland regularly competing against each oher Anyone wishing to learn more about girls' rugby should contact Rob Winter at morpethrfc.co.uk.

NORTHUMBERLAND (v Cheshire): Lucy Honeybell, Samantha Jenkinson, Sarah Foster, Harriet Chattaway, Emily Allen, Ashley Brown, Jessica Garrick, Rosie Court, Lydia Chadwick, Lindsey Tait, Caity Mattinson, Natasha Robson, Jessica Young, Rowan Wood, Linzi Taylor, Caroline Lawson, Amy Bailey, Emily Barber.

ROCKLIFF Rugby Club's Black Adders touch rugby squad finished a creditable eighth out of 34 teams at the Scottish Touch Series event in Edinburgh.

The Black Adders were knocked out in the semifinals, going down to a lastminute try against the Energen Guerillas from Aberdeen.

When all the scores were tallied up from the preceding rounds, the Whitley Bay-based team had the honour of being the only English team in the top 10.

Captain Philip Wilson believes it was a fantastic achievement: He said: "This is a terrific achievement for the squad and is the result of the dedication of our squad members and Rockcliff in providing excellent facilities for touch rugby."

In the group stages of the competition, Black Adders faced Statue Owe from Eire, Wallace Monumentals from Stirling and London Galaxy.

They came through the group, qualifying for the quarter- finals where they overcame Barely Kilt from Edinburgh, beating them 7-0. Against the Energen Guerillas, the game was tied at two tries each, the Scottish side stealing it with a last-minute try to go through to the final.

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TOUCH AND GO: Rockliff Rugby Club's Black Adders touch rugby side which did well north of the border BELLES OF THE BALL: Northumberland (in stripes) in action in their county match with Cheshire