January's Grassroots Teams of the Month announced
Congratulations to January’s winning Teams of the Month.
Electronic Match Card allows everything from tries and points scored to best defensive performance and kick percentage record to be viewed for every team from level three to 12.
Sheffield Women
Women’s Level 2&3
Women's Championship North 2: P3 W3
- 62 – 12 v Harrogate Ladies
- 20 – 45 v Driffield Ladies
- 53 – 5 v Crewe & Nantwich Ladies
Sheffield Women sit at the top of their table, having won all 10 league games this season.
Coaches Clarissa Murphy and Luke Pendlebury said: "What an honour to be awarded England Rugby Team of the Month for a second time. The 2023/24 season just keeps on giving!
"We look forward to the continued bumps and turns in our road to a victorious season. Huge kudos to the 26 different players that have helped us so far!"
Sheffield Women stats
Sheffield
Men’s Level 3&4
National League 2 North: P4 W4
- 31 – 14 v Wharfedale
- 26 – 13 v Billingham
- 24 – 26 v Preston Grasshoppers
- 40 – 10 v Hull Ionians
Head Coach Antony Posa said: "We are extremely proud and grateful for this recognition. There is a super healthy mix of a few old heads and a hugely promising group of youngsters in the team. We will enjoy this moment and recognise how far we have come for a club promoted and never having survived at this level before.”
Director of Rugby Simon Tomlinson added: “All of us at Sheffield RUFC are thrilled and incredibly proud to have been announced as the team of the month for January for both the men’s and women’s first teams. This is a huge testament to the players, coaches and support staff at the club who put in so much time and effort throughout the season to make sure that both teams are training and playing to the best of their potential.
"The success that we are seeing on the field for both teams is a culmination of a number of years of hard work from the players and coaches and from the development of young players within the club. It is fantastic to see so much home-grown talent making its way into senior rugby."
Sheffield stats
Thamesians Women
Women’s Level 4 to 6
Women's NC 1 South East (North): P3 W3
- 5 – 46 v Welwyn Ladies
- 48 – 0 v East London Vixens Ladies
- 0 – 56 v Chobham Women
Coach Nigel Botherway said: “We’ve got a great squad who have worked really hard since we won promotion last season. Our forwards and backs link brilliantly, and our captain, Emelia Arbouine, a Jamaica international at 7s and 15s, ran in eight of the 25 tries we scored.
“We have some fantastic players, ranging in age from 18 to 50, but it is our amazing team spirit that has taken us to the top of the league. I am so proud of them to be recognised by the RFU.”
Thamesians Women stats
Colchester
Men’s Level 5
Regional 1 South East: P4 W4
- 57 – 15 v Westcliff
- 13 – 35 v Tring
- 27 – 40 v Old Northamptonians
- 38 – 36 v Letchworth Garden City
Head Coach Craig Burrows said: “January was a really exciting time for us. The boys are performing extremely well. We’ve got a lot of very decent players and they’re taking everything from the training park on to the playing field. I’m very happy with how we’ve performed, and I know we’ve got a lot more to offer, requiring 12 points from five games to secure promotion. We’re in a positive place but we know we’ve still got a job to do.”
Colchester’s Club President, Kieran Payne, added: “We are very proud to be recognised by England Rugby. This is a wonderful achievement for the club and is testament to the hard work put in by the players and coaches across all teams to consistently flourish on the pitch.”
Colchester stats
Eton Manor
Men’s Level 6
Regional 2 Anglia: P3 W3
- 8 – 55 v Holt
- 5 – 68 v Chelmsford
- 61 – 35 v Woodford
- 11 – 35 v Stowmarket
Mark Farrell, Director of Rugby, said: “This award is a huge pat on the back to our whole senior men’s playing squad, coaches and management for the continuous hard work they all put into progressing our rugby club.
“Our coaching team knew that January would be the month to target if we were to have any opportunity of league success and with our recently installed AGP, our ability to train harder and longer than our opposition would be pivotal to achieving our aims.”
Eton Manor stats
Luctonians II
Men’s Level 7
Counties 1 Midlands West (South): P4 W4
- 5 – 31 v Old Leamingtonians
- 21 – 48 v Droitwich
- 71 – 5 v Broadstreet II
- 19 – 65 v Bromsgrove II
Luctonians II are undefeated in all of their 16 games this season.
Brett Prior, Luctonians II coach, said: “Congratulations to all the players. What a wonderful accolade. This recognition is a testament to their dedication and efforts this season and may this award be a stepping stone to further successes.”
Luctonians II stats
Chippenham II
Men’s Level 8
Counties 2 Tribute Dorset & Wilts North: P4 W4
- 0 – 66 v Pewsey Vale
- 8 – 52 v Minety
- 44 – 19 v Marlborough II
- 5 – 31 v Supermarine
Chippenham II Coach, Russ Trotman said: “To go the whole month unbeaten, winning all games with a bonus point is incredible and testament to the guys pulling on that back and white jersey every week. This award has been earned by a whole club effort, which has been the philosophy since I joined the club. It’s a pleasure to coach a talented set of players and to be part of a talented group of coaches.”
Chippenham Head Coach John Angell added: “We are incredibly proud of the whole group that have contributed to this award. After the disappointment of missing out on promotion last season in the play off, the lads are determined to put that right and achieve promotion this season. The buzz around the whole club at the moment is brilliant and I’m so proud to be a part of it.”
Chippenham II stats
Wadebridge Camels II
Men’s Level 9 to 12
Counties 3 Tribute Cornwall: P4 W4
- 35 – 17 v Camborne II
- 79 – 19 v Falmouth II
- 17 – 34 v Launceston II
- 93 – 0 v Redruth Albany
Coach Steve Evans said: “What a season it’s been so far! Our squad this season is made up of a strong blend of experienced players and youth, which is exemplified by four stalwarts of our club, (Matt Ballard, Jacob Johns, Richard Dickie Dawe and finally Ben “Granite” Humber.
"The youth in our squad have benefitted greatly by playing and mixing with so much experience and have so far this season shown their worth by stepping up into the senior ranks. We are hoping to continue our success this season, in trying to gain promotion into the next league up.
"Special mention to Dave and Clair Warren and Shaun “The Kitman” Wiltshire. We would not be able to function without these great people who look after us."
