Royal Navy Rugby League Women Triumph in Bristol 25 May 2023 Storyline: Rugby League Royal Navy Rugby Leagues Women's team ‘The Wrenegades’ secured a hard-fought victory over the Bristol Golden Ferns at the weekend to get their season off to the best possible start. A fast flowing first half saw the Wrenegades sweep into a 28:4 point lead at the break, the side featured 5 players on debut in the RNRL shirt, two of whom Wtr Daisy Lumsden and AB Ellis Thorpe scored trys in the first half. The other scorers in the half were MA Josie Parnaby(2), LET Jodie Mills and skipper Sian McLaughlin, AET Cloe Sopp and Lt Cheryl Goodwin added conversions. So as the half drew to a close it looked good for a resounding win however the warning signs were there with the last play of the match as the Ferns regrouped and scored a try of their own 28-4 at the break. Buoyed by their score ahead of the break the Ferns came out strongly in the second half and pushed on with 12 unanswered points of their own to set the game up for a thrilling last quarter. Both sides pushed for the next score with some heavy tackles going in as well as some great expansive play however it was the Wrenegades who struck the final blow, Lt Cheryl Goodwin crossing for a try on debut going on to convert the score 34-16, this proved to be the final score and the Wrenegades took the win. Not surprisingly spirits were high after the match but Coach LAET Matt Bayliss appreciates there is much more work to do before September's Inter Series, however on the day his charges earned their shirts and came away with the win. A mention also to Manager, LAET CJ Kane who worked hard to secure players for the game as well as seeing the side win for the first time in her tenure as manager. At the team meal on the night before the game the delayed 2022 season Women's Players Awards were presented by Coach Bayliss. The Woman Of Steel award went to LET Jodie Mills whilst ET Sian Mclaughlin picked up the Players Player Of the Year award. A great start to the Wrenegades season with more to come before Septembers Inter Services Series.
