IN 2016 the Welsh Rugby Union set up girls-only rugby clusters throughout Wales, to be played in the summer months, with the initiative being to get girls of all ages playing rugby and creating a pathway from six year old girls, right through to senior womens rugby.

Such has been the success of the Red Kites Cluster based at Gwernyfed rugby club, the U15 and U18 girls’ teams have continued to play tackle rugby through the winter months against other clusters from within the Blues rugby region.

On Sunday, February 11 at Gwernyfed rugby club, the Red Kites Cluster U15 girls rugby team hosted the Bridgers Cluster U15 girls rugby team in very cold conditions.

The wintry weather didn’t stop both teams from playing open and positive rugby, with some very good tries being scored by both teams.

The Red Kites scored not long after the kick-off, with Dawn Davies barnstorming her way past the Bridgers’ defence for an impressive solo try. This set the tone for the first half with Mikayla Griffiths, Gracie Jenkins, Becky Rees and Keely also running in tries to have a half time lead of 34-5.

In the second half the tries continued to flow for the Red Kites, with Maddie Davies and Lucy Hardy also getting their name on the score sheet, and Mikayla Griffiths finishing with a hat-trick.

In total the Red Kites ran in 11 tries, with Becky Rees adding four conversions. To the credit of the Bridgers girls, they never gave up and scored three impressive tries themselves in the match, the final score being 63-19 to the Red Kites.

Although not getting on the score sheet, Lucy Brown and Frankie Gibson put in solid performances for the team effort. A massive thanks to the coaching team of Bronnie Jones, Rosie Jones and Richard East.

The Red Kites Girls Only Rugby Cluster have made a big impact since being set up in early 2016, and in the summer of 2017 the Kites had 99 girls registered with the Welsh Rugby Union.

Such has been the Clusters progress and growth they have been shortlisted for the Brecknock and Radnorshire Sports Partnership Sports Awards for the 2017 sport year, good luck to you all on March 2.

The cluster offer different forms of rugby for all girls from 6-18, including tag rugby, and a pathway to full tackle for the older girls.

Anyone wanting to get involved in 2018, or for more information please get in touch with Ceri Morgan by email [email protected]