SCHOOLGIRLS from Middlewich High have been lauded for giving rugby a try after filling two minibuses to play a one-off game against Weaverham.


The school launched a partnership with Northwich RUFC as part of the ‘This Girl Can’ campaign and girls from Middlewich High have been attending weekly sessions run by the club. 


After almost a full school year of rugby sessions, the girls, most of whom had never touched a rugby ball before September, took to the field to play a full game against Weaverham High. 


A spokesperson at Middlewich High School said: “The response from the girls has been fantastic and the idea of contact rugby quickly went from fear to excitement and determination. 


“We were invited to take the girls to Northwich rugby club to play in a friendly fixture against Weaverham. There were that many girls keen to be involved we filled two minibuses with year 7, 8 and 9 girls. 


“It was a great evening of matches and fun training which culminated in a huge round of takeaway pizzas. 


“Due to the superb response from our pupils it is looking likely that we will continue our strong links with Northwich rugby club next season and be able to offer our pupils training on site.”


Northwich RUFC were also astonished with the attendance from the girls at Middlewich High and are hoping to see some of them joining their girls teams in the future. 


Ian Grassby, from Northwich RUFC, said: “All the sessions at Middlewich High School have been really well attended; we’ve had at least 20 girls each week, which his really good. 


“We were also doing the same session at Weaverham High and then we decided to get them together to play against each other. 


“Weaverham won but they have players that have been playing for teams for a while and all of the girls for Middlewich have only just started and this was the first game they’ve ever been involved in. 


“It was amazing to see, Middlewich High School turned up with two full mini buses which was more than 30 girls.


“The girls really seem to enjoy the contact side of it, they’re really taking to it.”