Italy and Sweden Crowned Champions of the Lions Club European Championships 

On Wednesday 16th March 240 girls in 24 teams from 15 schools in and around Worcestershire took part in the inaugural Lions Club European rugby championships at Sixways Stadium. There were three competitions; mixed age group TAG, Year 7/8 contact and Year 9/10 contact.

Each team was allocated a country who have played in the Women’s European Championships and battled it out for the Lions Club Trophies.

In the Year 7/8 competition Chase narrowly lost to Woodfield 2nds in one semi final and a weary Nunnery Wood missed out on a final place beaten by a strong Woodfield 1st team. The final was between Sweden (Woodfield 1) and Romania (Woodfield 2) and Sweden emerged victorious running in some fantastic tries from their own half.

In the Year 9/10 contact, the tournament was run as a round robin competition, with some very close games, it came down to the wire. Ireland (Bewdley) won the league and then took on Italy (Nunnery Wood) in the final. Two well-worked tries saw Italy clear and they took revenge to beat Ireland and win the trophy.

The TAG competition demonstrated some excellent running and passing skills from all teams. Luxembourg (Droitwich Spa) won Pool One and Russia (Aston Fields) topped pool Two and will fight for the Lions Club trophy at half time in the Warriors Vs London Welsh game on the 19th March 2011.

The winners will be presented the trophy by ex Internationals Donna Kennedy (Scotland) and Karen Jones (England).

A big thank you to all the schools for their overwhelming support of girls’ rugby, without you the tournament would not have been possible. Thanks also to the Lions Clubs for their sponsorship and volunteer helpers and to the students from Worcester University’s women’s team for their help. Finally thanks to the Warriors community department for hosting and refereeing the event.

This event was the result of a Lions Clubs youth initiative. For more information about Lions Clubs in Worcestershire please contact your local club (Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Evesham, Kidderminster, Malvern, Redditch, Worcester) or area Chairperson Terry White on 07833 585994.