Leek's new women's team played their first match yesterday (Sunday), putting in a great performance as they lost narrowly to a more experienced Ashbourne squad 10-7.

Nineteen women - many of whom had never played at any level before - donned the blue and white for the first time, having only come together for their first training session in September.

Leek's try and conversion were scored by Abby Taaffe, a player who has returned to her childhood club having had to play elsewhere due to there being no Leek women's team.

Ashbourne chose Sammy Cooper as the Moorlanders' player of the match. Tia Higgins was back of the match and Maddy Knight won the forwards' award.

Team coach Katie Mellor said she was "really proud of the performance, which sets a really high bench mark for the team. I'm excited to see where we go in the future."

Scrum half Amy Leftwich is one of those who had never played before. On Saturday she was with 77,000 others at Twickenham to cheer on the inspirational world champion Red Roses as they began their Women's Six Nations defence with a win over Ireland. Yesterday, she played 80 minutes at the Recreation Ground, after which she said she was "exhausted but elated".

The women play another training match at home to Congleton next Sunday, 19 April. Kick off at St Edward's Park is 3pm.

If you'd like to join them, training is at 7pm on Wednesdays. Check out the team Instagram account leek_women_rufc for more information.