Chloe (ORRC U18), a member of England Touch’s Mixed U18 Team in France won a silver medal. Joint captain, Chloe was impressive throughout the tournament playing in eight games and scoring six tries. Tilly (ORRC U15) and Olivia (ORRC U18) played in the U18 England team in Vichy, winning a gold medal after a nailing biting final game against Wales.
Tilly has had a brilliant year of rugby having also been a member of ORRC U15’s National winning team this spring. Tilly’s speed and agility meant she was outstanding on the wing in Vichy and a prodigious try scorer. Tilly’s dad Phil said he noticed a step change improvement in her contact rugby playing after she joined Monday night touch.
For Chloe, Touch rugby is now a family affair with her Dad, Jeremy, and brother Lachlan, playing alongside Chloe at touch on Monday nights. However, we’ll be seeing less of Chloe this year on Mondays as she takes up a place at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire where she’ll be a part of its prestigious rugby academy alongside studying A Levels.
Olivia had a rocky road to Vichy after sustaining a knee injury at Harlequins CoE training just days after her England Touch selection. After numerous medical appointments and physio rehab in the three months up to the tournament, Olivia got the final medical sign off to play just a few days before travelling to France. Olivia wasn’t able to play in as many games as she had hoped in Vichy but was delighted to get a try in the semi-final against Ireland.
‘These medals, alongside the success of the ORRC players who were part of the South East Touch team which won the England trophy last summer at National Championship in Oxford, demonstrates the strength of girls rugby at ORRC and the importance of touch rugby alongside, and in addition to, contact rugby. A huge thank you to Lee Hodges, ORRC Touch Chair, and Drew Gibson, who plays a key link role between ORRC and SETA (South East Touch Association). It was a wonderful experience for all three players to represent their country for the first time and play overseas. It will be something they will remember throughout their lives and we are so proud of their performance both on and off the pitch,’ said Carl Hassan, 20221-22 U18 Girls Coach.
In September, Chloe, Olivia and Tilly will be joined by fellow ORRC players, Jocelyn De Acetis, Henry Birinder Ross, Louis Gibson, Tess Hassan, Lachlan Hill and Bethany Willars who have been picked to represent SETA at England Touch’s National Championship in Nottingham. Touch rugby has a bright future at ORRC.
