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South Wales Argus
11 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 Argus
a day ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Powell praises team's roaring victory in Gill Burns County Champs
Twelve months on from winning the Division 3 final by thumping Cumbria, Devon took the step up in quality in their stride, although they didn't have everything their own way in the showpiece this time. After storming into a 19-0 lead in the first 20 minutes, Mollie Pepper's early try being added to by Issy Edworthy's double, Devon saw their advantage reduced to just two points by an Eastern Counties fightback. However, two penalties from full-back Beth Plumpton steadied the ship before scores by replacements Kat Cramp and Sammie Harris sealed a 37-22 victory. Powell said: 'It feels incredible and I'm incredibly proud of the team. 'The girls have worked incredibly hard this season and it's just a great way to cap it off. 'I can't take all the credit, obviously – coming out of the back end of last year, Greg [Richards] and the team did a fantastic job in Division 3, winning the title there. 'They handed over nicely to us and we just built on what they worked on last year, added a few things and we've come out with the win.' The women's team's triumph ended what had previously been a testing County Championship final weekend for Devon on a high, with their under-20s and men's sides both beaten in their respective finals. Collins was delighted to continue the county's proud record in the competition and see the hard work in training sessions at Cullompton, who provided eight of his players in his final matchday squad, bring further reward. Two more players came from the club he coaches during the regular rugby season, Okehampton, with six other clubs from the county also represented at the home of English rugby. Powell said: 'Some of the girls were not my best friends at the trials, just because I made them do a lot of fitness work, but we stuck by that and that's held us good in the end. 'I'm sure everyone is proud of us back home, it's just an unbelievable experience, an unbelievable feeling. 'It's just great to come to HQ and put a performance together that we can be proud of and pile on the points, like we've been doing all year through the County Championship.' 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
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Powell praises team's roaring victory in Gill Burns County Champs
After storming into a 19-0 lead in the first 20 minutes, Mollie Pepper's early try being added to by Issy Edworthy's double, Devon saw their advantage reduced to just two points by an Eastern Counties fightback. However, two penalties from full-back Beth Plumpton steadied the ship before scores by replacements Kat Cramp and Sammie Harris sealed a 37-22 victory. Powell said: 'It feels incredible and I'm incredibly proud of the team. 'The girls have worked incredibly hard this season and it's just a great way to cap it off. 'I can't take all the credit, obviously – coming out of the back end of last year, Greg [Richards] and the team did a fantastic job in Division 3, winning the title there. 'They handed over nicely to us and we just built on what they worked on last year, added a few things and we've come out with the win.' The women's team's triumph ended what had previously been a testing County Championship final weekend for Devon on a high, with their under-20s and men's sides both beaten in their respective finals. Collins was delighted to continue the county's proud record in the competition and see the hard work in training sessions at Cullompton, who provided eight of his players in his final matchday squad, bring further reward. Two more players came from the club he coaches during the regular rugby season, Okehampton, with six other clubs from the county also represented at the home of English rugby. Powell said: 'Some of the girls were not my best friends at the trials, just because I made them do a lot of fitness work, but we stuck by that and that's held us good in the end. 'I'm sure everyone is proud of us back home, it's just an unbelievable experience, an unbelievable feeling. 'It's just great to come to HQ and put a performance together that we can be proud of and pile on the points, like we've been doing all year through the County Championship.' To see all the results from the County Championship Finals visit or follow @RFU on X to see all the in-play highlights.
