Latest news with #CountyChampionshipFinals
South Wales Argus
5 hours ago
- Sport
- 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
5 hours ago
- Sport
- 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.
South Wales Guardian
11 hours ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
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.
The Herald Scotland
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Yorkshire rugby coach beaming after going back-to-back success
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
a day ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Players left themselves too much to do, admits McAuley
Leicestershire head coach Chris McAuley accepts his players left themselves too much to do in their Bill Beaumont Men's County Championship Division 3 final against Hertfordshire at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. McAuley's side found their opponents in a clinical mood in the first half of their 29-10 defeat at the home of English rugby as four tries put Hertfordshire on a dominant position they never looked like giving up. The Foxes appeared to have a glimmer of hope when lock Jack Burrows plunged over for a try in the 55th minute, but any hope of a comeback was quickly snuffed out by another Herts score. Leicestershire found themselves a man up after Hertfordshire's Luke Mongston was sent off for a dangerous tackle, but they couldn't find a way through some determined defence. McAuley said: 'I think we left ourselves with a lot to do – if you look back at the time, there were a few 'patience errors'. 'We coughed up possession a bit easily, we got a bit excited at times. 'I think their last try was indicative of the game – if you look at the tries they scored, I think they had to work for one of them, but they are a really good threat on the counter attack. 'We knew that when we knew we'd be playing against them and it's just one of those things, if they've got a weapon they can use, they can really hurt you.' Despite it ending in defeat, McAuley looks back on Leicestershire's campaign with a lot of pride as it continued the progress the county's current crop of players, who have trained at Leicester Forest RFC, have made in recent years. No longer being able to select players from the National Leagues may mean they have to look at players from lower in the rugby pyramid, but it has also increased their options. McAuley, who has recently left positions as Leicester Lions backs coach and Leicester De Montfort University head coach, said: 'With how we were originally, we were struggling for players because we'd always been choosing from National League clubs – we had three of them. 'So, for this new Level 5 and below rule there's so many clubs and it gives so many players access to something they'd never had before. 'In the early stage it was difficult trying to find players, whereas now we've restored a lot of pride in it and now it's become something cherished by the players.' To see all the results from the County Championship Finals visit or follow @RFU on X to see all the in-play highlights.
