Yorkshire rugby coach beaming after going back-to-back success
In a tight game at Allianz Stadium, it was only Alex Taylor-Roberts' penalty with the final play of the game that finally sealed a 29-19 success, with Yorkshire's defence proving vital.
That means that one year on from downing Surrey, Yorkshire women have now claimed successive titles, much to Baxter's delight.
He said: 'It's the pinnacle of some of these players' careers. They are the memories they will create. We are very proud of the squad that we selected, we tried to get a nice blend of people and bring them together. To top it off, playing here at the Home of Rugby, it's pretty massive, pretty special.
'Some of these players have been here before, last year and previous years where we've come down and won it. For some it's the first time stepping out onto that pitch. We've got players who have returned from PWR and others who have only picked up a rugby ball for the past two years so it's wonderful to have that mixture in there.'
Yorkshire started strongly with a try from Becky Patrick following smart offloads by Mary Stones and Katie Patrick in the build-up.
That score was quickly cancelled out by Bucks skipper Nicky Gross, who burrowed over from close range after a huge charge from player coach Rocky Clark – England's second most capped rugby player.
Yorkshire reclaimed the lead when Steph Tharne was fastest to her own chargedown of Caz Collie, only for Sian Mills to get over for Bucks. Collie's conversion put them 14-12 up.
Clark then saw yellow for a high tackle, with Stones taking advantage of the extra player to put Yorkshire in front.
But it was all square at the break thanks to Collie's fine individual score, fending off two defenders on her way to the line.
Taylor-Roberts got over early in the second half with a clever dummy and go and having resisted long periods in the first half, Yorkshire did it again in the second.
The crucial spell came with 10 minutes to go, and after they held out there, it was left to Taylor-Roberts to seal victory and spark celebrations.
Baxter, who plays his club rugby for Otley and has been head coach of the side for four years, added: 'It's good because you want a challenge like that and all credit to Buckinghamshire, they are a really good side. I'm really proud of our girls, it was a nice test.'
To see all the results from the County Championship Finals visit EnglandRugby.com or follow @RFU on X to see all the in-play highlights.
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South Wales Argus
9 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Yorkshire rugby coach beaming after going back-to-back success
In a tight game at Allianz Stadium, it was only Alex Taylor-Roberts' penalty with the final play of the game that finally sealed a 29-19 success, with Yorkshire's defence proving vital. That means that one year on from downing Surrey, Yorkshire women have now claimed successive titles, much to Baxter's delight. He said: 'It's the pinnacle of some of these players' careers. They are the memories they will create. We are very proud of the squad that we selected, we tried to get a nice blend of people and bring them together. To top it off, playing here at the Home of Rugby, it's pretty massive, pretty special. 'Some of these players have been here before, last year and previous years where we've come down and won it. For some it's the first time stepping out onto that pitch. We've got players who have returned from PWR and others who have only picked up a rugby ball for the past two years so it's wonderful to have that mixture in there.' Yorkshire started strongly with a try from Becky Patrick following smart offloads by Mary Stones and Katie Patrick in the build-up. That score was quickly cancelled out by Bucks skipper Nicky Gross, who burrowed over from close range after a huge charge from player coach Rocky Clark – England's second most capped rugby player. Yorkshire reclaimed the lead when Steph Tharne was fastest to her own chargedown of Caz Collie, only for Sian Mills to get over for Bucks. Collie's conversion put them 14-12 up. Clark then saw yellow for a high tackle, with Stones taking advantage of the extra player to put Yorkshire in front. But it was all square at the break thanks to Collie's fine individual score, fending off two defenders on her way to the line. Taylor-Roberts got over early in the second half with a clever dummy and go and having resisted long periods in the first half, Yorkshire did it again in the second. The crucial spell came with 10 minutes to go, and after they held out there, it was left to Taylor-Roberts to seal victory and spark celebrations. Baxter, who plays his club rugby for Otley and has been head coach of the side for four years, added: 'It's good because you want a challenge like that and all credit to Buckinghamshire, they are a really good side. I'm really proud of our girls, it was a nice test.' To see all the results from the County Championship Finals visit or follow @RFU on X to see all the in-play highlights.
South Wales Argus
9 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Rocky Clark proud to be back at Twickenham despite loss
England's second most capped rugby player ever, the 44-year-old Clark was the player coach for Buckinghamshire as they lost out to defending champions Yorkshire 29-19 in a game that was still in the balance until the final minutes. In fact, it was only a penalty from Alex Taylor-Roberts with the final play of the game that ended any hopes of a Bucks' comeback. And while Clark was inevitably disappointed to be on the wrong side of the result, she was also thrilled to be back at Twickenham once again. She said: 'I'm buzzing to be back here. I've done it so many times before but every time it's really special. I'm so proud and privileged. I've been here twice as a coach but to be here as a player and a coach with the Bucks county women, I'm really happy. 'It was a bit of a shock to be back out here. I've kept my boots on but dropped down the levels, into the Championship with Buckingham Swans, the passion and the love is still there and I'm still pretty decent in the scrum so I'll take that.' Yorkshire started strongly with a try from Becky Patrick following smart offloads by Mary Stones and Katie Patrick in the build-up. That score was quickly cancelled out by Bucks skipper Nicky Gross, who burrowed over from close range after a huge charge from Clark. Yorkshire reclaimed the lead when Steph Tharne was fastest to her own chargedown of Caz Collie, only for Sian Mills to get over for Bucks. Collie's conversion put them 14-12 up. Clark then saw yellow for a high tackle, with Stones taking advantage of the extra player to put Yorkshire in front. But it was all square at the break at 19-19 thanks to Collie's fine individual score, fending off two defenders on her way to the line. Taylor-Roberts got over early in the second half with a clever dummy and go and having resisted long periods in the first half, Yorkshire did it again in the second. The crucial spell came with 10 minutes to go, and after they held out there, it was left to Taylor-Roberts to seal victory, leaving Clark to reflect on how close Bucks had come. She added: 'I'm really gutted but it was a great game of rugby. They were a phenomenal team and really hard to stop. We just couldn't fire all our shots. We had opportunities and a few times our processes went out the window. 'So we're disappointed but it's great for women's rugby to play before an international game, we are absolutely stoked and it meant so much coming to Twickenham, the Home of Rugby. 'If we'd scored with 10 to go, I think we would have won the game, but you win some, you lose some. I'm well-versed at that. Now we collectively come together, make the most of our experience, make memories and have a great time.' And what of the future, well Clark has no plans to hang up her boots any time soon. She added: 'I've no plans to retire, I said I'd be the oldest player so you might see me waddle out again!' To see all the results from the County Championship Finals visit or follow @RFU on X to see all the in-play highlights.
The Independent
10 hours ago
- The Independent
County Championship leaders Nottinghamshire held to a draw by Yorkshire
Nottinghamshire stayed top of Rothesay County Championship Division One but their lead is now just two points after the draw with Yorkshire at Trent Bridge. Yorkshire's first innings had stretched until lunch on day four thanks in part to an unbeaten 93 from Matthew Revis, helped by an earlier 224 by Finlay Bean, as they were all out for 510 thus setting an insurmountable challenge for the leaders to overcome to take the win. Ben Slater hit an unbeaten 74 for the hosts, the sixth consecutive innings in which he had passed 50, as they reached 148 for one before declaring. Surrey, targeting a fourth successive title, had wrapped up a dominant nine-wicket win over Worcestershire on Tuesday. Danial Ibrahim's unbeaten 121 and John Simpson (85) helped Sussex to a draw at Durham, as they declared on 322 for six. The visitors had resumed play on 111 for four with a lead of 145 and successfully slowed the game down despite probing bowling from Matthew Potts and Ben Raine. Potts came closest to making a breakthrough when Ollie Robinson dropped Simpson on 77, as the teams remained lodged in mid-table. A 215-run sixth-wicket partnership by Tom Westley and Michael Pepper saved Essex from a third County Championship defeat of the season against Hampshire at Chelmsford. Essex were still 26 short of making Hampshire bat again at 131 for five when the pair began their three and a half hour partnership – which carried them to 358 for six declared. The visitors had enjoyed a lead of 157 after their first innings but Pepper's 140 – his highest first-class score – and an unbeaten 130 from Westley took the game away from them, despite Hampshire spinner Liam Dawson finishing on four for 82. Warwickshire had been set an unlikely target of 377 from 69 overs by Somerset at Edgbaston, the sides unsurprisingly coasting to a forgettable draw on the final day. Tom Latham's 52 and Sam Hain's unbeaten 68 were all Warwickshire could muster after Somerset had extended their second innings to 229 for eight in the morning. In Division Two, leaders Leicestershire stayed unbeaten but Glamorgan denied them a sixth win in eight games. It took a commendable effort from the visitors to deny the Foxes, as centuries from Sam Northeast and Colin Ingram contributed to a fourth-wicket stand of 225 at Grace Road. Glamorgan were 92 behind and three wickets down at the start of the day but Northeast's 139 and Ingram's unbeaten 133 helped them to a second-innings total of 342 for six when the declaration came. Second-placed Derbyshire were made to settle for a draw despite 91 not out from Harry Came against Gloucestershire at Bristol. The visitors had at one stage been 177 without loss, chasing 316, but their pursuit of victory was undone by Graeme van Buuren's four for 64. Anuj Dal's late 36 not out saw the visitors finish short on 296 for eight. James Sales (108) and Luke Procter (107) shone as Northamptonshire successfully chased down Middlesex's 311 with 10 overs to spare at Wantage Road to claim victory. Kent ended a run of four straight defeats and denied Lancashire a first win of the season in James Anderson's first match as captain thanks to Grant Stewart's 130. An eighth-wicket stand of 182 from Stewart and Joey Evison helped Kent hit back from a slow start to their second innings to finish on 328 for eight. Australian off-spinner Chris Green took four for 104.
