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womens rugby 7s feature

EUWRFC 7s team at Sandy Park

Smashing 7s season for EUWRFC

With the University of Exeter women’s rugby team finishing their 15s season as runners up in BUCS Premier South and losing in the quarter final stages of the BUCS Championship they were keen to continue and build on their good form during the 7s season.

Having had 3 team members (Clara Nielson, Cat McNaney and Nikita Frere) selected for the English Universities Women’s Rugby 7s side who competed in the home nations event in April, Exeter had high hopes for the season ahead.

A win at Bournemouth 7s in the Viper 10 plate started the season on a high and Exeter continued their winning ways taking the title at Yeovil 7s and also securing qualification for the RFU's Secure Trading 24Seven's Regional final. The Regional final is a qualifying stage for the National 7s finals being held in Bath on Saturday 29th July. With 32 qualifying events running nationally, the series aims to provide opportunities for both recreational and high level rugby 7s competition. Exeter put out a dominant display, only conceding 1 try in the tournament and seeing off North Petherton in the final to take the victory. University of Exeter women’s rugby 1st team captain Clara Nielson commented “It was great to get the win at Yeovil 7s as we came up against some good quality teams but performed well against them. It’s really nice to have a full 7s programme following the BUCS season as it gives girls more opportunities to keep playing rugby over the summer”

Next up was Frome 7s where Exeter met Barnes Ladies and 7 Bamboos in the initial group stages. Exeter started well, securing a win against Barnes Ladies and went on to make the plate final. Keeping consistent Exeter followed this up with another cup final at Newquay 7s.

In line with the European 7s held at Sandy Park over the weekend of the 15th-16th July Exeter were runners up in the Regional Finals of the RFU’s Secure Trading 24Seven’s to a strong Gloucester Hartpury side and in doing so qualified for the National 7s finals.

Reflecting on the 7s season University of Exeter Women’s Rugby head coach Jo Yapp commented “It has been an excellent season for the Women's 7s team. Led by Clara the girls have had the opportunity to play in numerous tournaments. The highlight for the girls was running out at Sandy Park in the regional finals”.

Exeter now look forward to their pre-season training programme starting at the end of August in preparation for another exciting BUCS season.

Date: 29 July 2017

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