From Hartlepool to Bangkok: A Historic Step for Women’s Rugby
- mikewalker563
- Feb 16
- 2 min read
RUGBY’S PFC Trust Hartlepool & District Barbarians squad left Thailand empty-handed but their entry into the Bangkok International 10s tournament was hailed as a success.
The PFC Trust-sponsored team were unable to win a game in sweltering temperatures in the Thai capital, but did make history by being the first female side from the town to compete in an international competition.
The squad, based on talent from Hartlepool & District Rugby Football Union, supported by players from Darlington RFC, Stockton and Bishop Auckland, finished bottom of Group A on Saturday, when they suffered three defeats to Thailand outfits, Viet Chiang 17-0, Bangkok University 26-0 and Bangkok Belles 12-5.
In the knock-out section on Sunday, they were beaten 31-0 in the Shield semi-final by Australian team Pally Palms before facing Vientiane Lions in the Bowl final, which they lost 24-0 to the lively young side from Laos.
The inspiration for the entry came from the late Hartlepool businessman and rugby figure, Alby Pattison OBE, whose dream had been to take a women’s squad to compete in the championship.
John Bickerstaff, who managed the PFC Trust Hartlepool & District Barbarians, had mixed emotions at the conclusion of the two-day event.
“Unfortunately, we did not do what we set out to do but, ultimately, the heat killed us,” he said.
“The girls put their heart and souls into it but on the pitch, but we just could not implement what we aimed to do.
“But I think playing out here has been a great way to progress women’s rugby in our area.
“I think the concept was a good one.
“We came out to achieve something and I think we did that.
“It was a historic initiative to bring out a team from our area to play in the biggest rugby tournament in Asia.”
Temperatures hit 35 degrees on both days with humidity measured at almost 70 per cent which meant that the Hartlepool & District players struggled to implement their game, especially against some lightning-quick Asian players.
Only one try was scored, and that honour fell the way of Darlington’s Rachel Brawn-Turnbull, who scored in the agonising Group A defeat to the defending champions, Bangkok Belles, when she finished off a tremendous team move.
Peterlee & Horden star Sarah Thompson captained the squad which included club-mates Sheryl Ejim and Katie-Jo Russell, Hartlepool RFC forwards Rachel Holliday and Jade Rawlings, plus ex-Pool team-mate, Mandy Duncan, who currently plays at Darlington, and Hartlepool girl Sophie Hill, a winger for Stockton Rockets.
Darlington players Kat Huggins, Rebecca Snook, Leanne Taylor and Brown-Turnbull, plus Bishop Auckland forward Jen Provan gave the squad its Barbarians flavour.
Hartlepool would like to thank all their sponsors, who were J&B Recycling, Halcyon Tankers, Hart Biologicals, Kingfield Developments, SDL Lighting, The Expanded Metal Company, along with Alby Pattison’s wife Lynne.
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