Newark Rugby Club’s women’s team played for the first time in over a decade as they narrowly lost to Belper in a tight contest
History was made as the Newark Women's rugby side marched out on to the field at Kelham Road on Armistice Day against a more experienced Belper outfit.
It was a close affair that saw the Newark side lose 22-19.
It was the first time that Newark women had competed as a side since 2010, said an official from the club.
A large crowd gathered to watch the Newark women contest their first competitive game, which included four players of the side who had come up through the junior ranks of the club.
Belped turned on a good performance from the first whistle, utilising their size and barging their powerful forwards over the line to score.
Newark evolved and started working as a team, their tackling soon came into its own and together, they slowed the onslaught.
The greatest takeaway from the match for the side was their refusal to give up.
At 22-0, Newark made a real go of it and came back to 22-19 by the final whistle.
It was evident that the team evolved through the game.
“It was a very special occasion for all the team,” said the team’s captain, Emilie Rathbone.
"Everyone had worked hard in training over the last nine months and for many, this was a new sport for them.
"The final score did not go our way, but the style and passion with which we ended was a triumph.”