THE all-new Burnley RUFC’s Ladies rugby team took on Didsbury Toc H development side after just five training sessions and no prior experience, writes Paul Mallaband.

Cheered on by family, friends, club players and old boys, it proved to be a historic moment for the club.

In the first half, some excellent forward play with fearsome rucking and hard runs gained Burnley valuable ground. Didsbury, however, took advantage of Burnley’s lack of experience and pushed the ball out wide around a less organised defence to put in several tries.

The scramble defence employed by Burlney was excellent with some superb tackles from centres Lauren McNicholas and Megan McCardle.

And a front row of Courtney Beery, Lil Tyrer and Olivia Murphy also proved effective in their first ever contested scrums providing an excellent platform for the industrious Kami Bolton at scrum half to release the backs.

After a half-time coaching break, Burnley organised their defence much better, only conceding two tries throughout.

Inside centre, Lauren McNicholas, linked well with fly-half Becky Shepherd.

Number eight, Andrea Sadler, also discovered her effectiveness when breaking from a scrum and pushing Burnley over the gain line.

While Burnley did not manage to cross the try line, their organisation was greatly improved and the women began to show real team work to get the ball going forward.

Ultimately, they were playing a much more experienced side and showed amazing grit and determination - not to mention some crunching tackles that had the crowds cheering.

Going forward, the ladies will be playing away against Preston on November 8 where they will hope to secure their first win, and any new players would be more than welcome to join this very new team on Wednesday nights at training 6.30pm start at Burnley RUFC behind the Oaks Hotel.

Burnley Ladies:1 Courtney Berry, 2 Elizabeth Tyrer, 3 Olivia Murphy, 4 Rebecca Skelton, 5 Adele Coleman, 6 Becky Sykes, 8 Andrea Sadler, 9 Kami Bolton, 10 Rebecca Shepherd, 11 Sarah Riley, 12 Lauren McNicholas, 13 Megan McCardle, 14 Zayanah Mansor, 15 Sam Stanworth.