Pictured is Whitland women's rugby team: Back row (left to right): Andy Webster (coach); Rosie Hutton; Sian Robinson; Elizabeth Thomas; Vicky Owens; Christina Jenkins; Meinir Walsh (coach); Natalie Bowen (captain); Nina Bishop; Karen Webster (first aid); Lucy Peach; Beth Rees; Suzanne Davies (team manager); Alan Jenkins (coach). Front row (left to right): Sian Murrow; Natalie Walsh; Emma Mouseley; Lucy Neal; Kate Bowen; Jenny Hawkins; Sian Morgan; Caryl James.

Currently flying a lone flag for women's rugby in Pembrokeshire are the ladies from Whitland, who play at senior level in division two of the Welsh league, with teams at under-14 and under-17 level.

Suzanne Davies is team manager for all three teams and her long list of duties includes making sure the kit and balls are at the ground, putting out the flags and cheering the girls on before getting back quickly to the Whitland clubhouse after home matches to cook a meal for the team.

But Suzanne is the first to say it is not a Borderers' one man band.

She said: "The club is totally behind our ladies' rugby teams, with top clubmen like Dai John and Arwyn Thomas leading the way alongside Richard Merriman, who never misses a match and makes sure we have publicity in the local press.

"Ceri Newton is a terrific first-aider plus coaches Meinir Walsh, Alan Jenkins and Andy Webster make sure that the girls are kept busy at Wednesday evening training sessions under the lights at Parc Dr Owen, developing their skills and raising their fitness levels."

At the moment, Whitland women are the only team in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and west Carmarthenshire, and with girls going to college and a few getting pregnant they are always looking for new recruits.

Suzanne added: "Enthusiasm is far more important than being very experienced or skilful and we are always on the lookout for new recruits. Natalie Walsh travels from Fishguard and others also travel to play for us so a quick call to me on 01994 240955 will guarantee a warm welcome. I always tell our players that I am delighted if they win but don't really mind about the result as long as they come off at the finish with a smile on their faces."

So far this season, Whitland women have won three of their five league matches, beating Birchgrove (Swansea), Tredegar Ironsides and Waunarlwydd, to whom they also lost alongside Neath Ladies.

First aider Meinir Walsh is sandwiched between coaches Alan Jenkins and Andy Webster.

"Our under-17 and under-14 girls have had to join forces with Carmarthen to keep their squad numbers high," says Suzanne, "but we can boast of having second rower Abigail James-Thomas in the west Wales under-14 team and winger Hannah Richards, second row Ali Griffiths, hooker Fran Edwards and flanker Zoe Morris in the west Wales under-17 side.

"There has also been senior representation because team captain Natalie Bowen has represented the Wales and both number eight Vicky Owens and second row Sioned Harries are in the Welsh under-20 squad. That's pretty good considering we have only been running the team for two seasons."

Suzanne started helping out when her daughter Sara played for Whitland and Wales at under-19 level as a front rower who is now at UWIC and enjoying her sport there. She is now kept busy in her involvement at the club because she also cooks the food for the men's after-match meal.

But it is the women's game which is her main interest.

Suzanne said: "They are a great bunch of girls to be involved with and we are eager to keep building on the start we have made. We play for fun and are happy to remain in division two so that everyone can enjoy their game without worrying about the result. Whitland women's rugby team is a happy bunch and we fully intend that we keep our smile levels high wherever we play."

3:07pm Tuesday 8th April 2008

Team manager Suzanne Davies.

Lineout action from a recent women's clash.

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