I would like to nominate Whitley Bay Rockcliff Roses for Team of the Month.
The team has had a strong start to the season, kicking things off with a convincing 55 – 20 victory over Durham in a pre season friendly, followed by a loss to a strong Novos 2s in the Junior Cup, 5 – 29, in what was a closer game than the scoreline suggested and much closer than when WBRR played Novos two seasons back, demonstrating how the squad continue to develop.
The league season started in September with wins in the first two matches, turning over Ponteland 72 – 5 at home and then beating a tough Berwick outfit 17 – 33 on the road, meaning that the Roses sat in top spot in the league, with Rockcliff Roses players occupying first and second top try scorer positions in the league (as well as fifth, eighth and ninth positions) as well as having the top points scorer in the squad.
The W and G’s section at Rockcliff also supported the RFU Rugby Fest 2025 initiative, a legacy of the Women’s Rugby World Cup. Organised by the Chair of Women’s Rugby (Roses Chair), assisted by the Chairs of Touch Rugby, Girls Rugby and Mini Rugby, the club hosted a “Come and Try” afternoon for girls and women. It was very well attended and expertly coached by our resident coaching staff, including Head Coach Charlotte Punter, Captain Caitlin McVeigh and Touch Rugby Chair Lesley Marshall. We hope and expect that the afternoon will spur growth across the Women and Girls’ sections.
Whitley Bay Rockcliff Roses are determined to capture the enthusiasm and excitement around the Women and Girls Rugby following the Red Roses’ magnificent Rugby World Cup win which has certainly helped turbo-charge their start to the season- both on and off the pitch.
