An amazing win two weeks ago for the girls of EURFC against last season’s champions Durham has pushed them back up the league table, with just a 4-point gap to 1st place.

The doubleheader last Wednesday started with a narrow defeat for the 2s against Bath 1s, but things soon burst into life. With a massive crowd behind the girls up at the rubber crumb, the team were fired up and ready to go from the off. This energy lifted EUWRFC who started fast with two tries in the opening half-hour putting the score at 10-7 at half-time. The girls then really put their foot down in the second half, with 3 unanswered tries. When the final whistle blew Exeter had the victory 31-7.

Starting second-row Katrina Hayes says the win over such strong opposition has given the squad “a lot of confidence” going into the rest of the season.

Hayes has started every game so far this season and has become an integral part of a pack that is physically dominating everyone in their path so far.

It was “even more special with everyone watching at the crumb” and it was “just a really nice environment”, highlighting the fact that all the girls love the atmosphere and having a big crowd around them. That performance certainly backed that up with a comfortable victory in the end.

With a week without a game, EUWRFC have had plenty of time to get stuck into training with the squad putting in “a lot of effort and heat going into training”. They also changed it around a little bit with some more extreme games and training sessions being used by the coaching staff.

“We did some training against Chiefs women and even against the Men’s 3s” showing that the team is not settled with their current high standards, they want to go even higher and prove themselves against professional sides.

Looking forward to tomorrow’s game, EUWRFC face a tough game against current top-of-the-table Hartpury University. Despite being top though the table is already so close with just 4 points separating us in 4th and our opponents.

Hayes sees this as a positive thing with “women’s rugby becoming really competitive” with every team around the country having lots of quality players. This is really encouraging for the women’s game, with more and more high-standard players coming through these programs and hoping to reach the top level.

With a stern test ahead the second row says there is “no room for silly mistakes tomorrow” as they will “really exploit penalties”. However, it is not only our own discipline that needs to be kept in check but also our control over the match; “We’ve really got to be on the money with game management”.

Head coach Poppy Leitch has been consistent with her team selections so far this year, and that continues this week. There are no changes in the pack, meaning Alessia Skeates keeps the starting number 1 shirt after a brace against Durham. Alongside Hayes in the locks is Ti Sharp, and a consistent back row of Woodman, Leveridge and Orachrd.

In the backs co-captain Matilda Toresater and Lottie Dadds continue their solid halfback partnership, with ever-impress centres Hermione Titcombe and Naomi Brennan in the three-quarters. The only change in the starting 15 is found on the wing, with Harriette Bond back in the 14 jersey after some time away. She is joined by Jodi Palmer and Abby Woollett in the back three.

A couple of new faces appear on the bench with both Aimee Ridley and Lizzie Hanlon coming into the squad from last week.

Follow EUWRFC on Twitter for live updates throughout the match, as well as lots of other great content to check out.