Two of the region’s oldest schools met up in one of the state’s newest sporting competitions, when The Armidale School hosted New England Girls’ School in only the second game of the inaugural Waratah W Shield on Wednesday, October 3.
An initiative of the NSW Positive Rugby Foundation, the Waratah W Shield for under 17s schoolgirls kicked off this week, expanding the knockout competition for schoolboys that has existed for more than half a century.
Whatever the two teams may have lacked in long-term preparation was more than made up with in enthusiasm, both schools relishing the opportunity to stake their claim in history. The hosts opened the ledger, winger Jayda Cohen running the length of the field and pushing through NEGS defence to score in the fifth minute, captain Lily Grieve, a Country U18s representative, then slotting the conversion.
Just before half time, a TAS intercept saw Bella Michell cross the line, with Grieve adding another two points, leaving the hosts 14-0 up, at the break.
NEGS re-grouped for the second half and made the most of a penalty early on, Lorraine Townsend finding a gap to score next to the post, and Regan Simpson converting. However, it wasn’t long before TAS came back, with Ella Vidler adding another five points for TAS and shortly after, Jenna Hattingh extending the lead with a try in the corner.
Fatigue from the visitors started setting in, TAS consolidating their dominance with tries to Stella Maroulis and Georgia Henderson in the final minutes of the game. Lily Grieve made it three from five with the boot, taking the final score to 36-5 and securing a place in the second round.
“It’s so good to be part of the first one, I think we really showed everyone here what it’s all about. Our girls gelled really well, we’d only had one proper training session and I’m sure the NEGS girls were the same, and we just wanted to give everyone here, a good show,” said Grieve.
“It was the first time a lot of the girls played tens; you still have the speed of the sevens with more opportunities around the edges. It was just awesome having so many here sing war-cries and cheer for everyone, was just the best feeling.”
NSW Positive Rugby Foundation program manager Joey de Dassel said the growth of women’s rugby warranted an opportunity for a schoolgirl’s knockout competition, initially as a 10-a-side format.
“We’re thrilled to be kicking off round one of the competition this week around New South Wales. There are 14 schools from across the state in this first year, with the finalists converging in Sydney in three weeks time. We’re confident that it will really grow into the future, quite possibly into a 15-a-side competition,” he said.
“It’s a privilege to be here for this fixture. TAS Backfield is an iconic rugby venue and for two really proud schools in TAS and NEGS to play a game of girls’ rugby in front of a huge crowd of supporters from both schools, it’s a special day indeed.”
Don’t miss any of the important stories from around the region. Subscribe to our email list.