AS the eight-month women’s Summer Rugby League season comes to an end the Xamax WRLA Winter League kicks off on Sunday 23 October with twelve sides competing in two divisions of six sides, writes Steve Manning.
The season will hopefully come to a conclusion at its Plate and Cup Finals on Easter Sunday 15 April, fixture backlogs permitting.
The league will feature three sides from Lancashire including newcomers Barrow and Wigan St Patrick’s.
During the season there will be a two weeks Christmas break and two Origin county trials weekend in preparation for the Xamax County of Origin Lancashire v Yorkshire game on Sunday 22 January.
WRLA Chair Steve Manning said: “I can’t wait for our season to kick off next week and a lot of work has been done because of logistical circumstances to make a two division league structure consisting of six teams per division.
“We asked the clubs to buy into it and endeavour to make the games week-to-week fixtures pending the weather which hit us and other competing sports hard last year which saw a season extension during the crossover to summer.
“We expect all the games to be competitive as clubs in their respective divisions chase the ultimate prize as well as Cup and Plate glory as we look to increase player participation and retention in the sport.”
He added: “We thank our title league sponsors Xamax who also support both our cups and the Origin game which this year featured a 92nd minute golden try to seal the victory.
“Finally I would like to encourage all Rugby League supporters to come along to the games to see the women’s skills on board and the dedication that they have to our sport. For those curious and wanting to give the game a go I would say if you’re not sure there is only one way to find out.”
Fixtures
Sunday 23 October 2016
DIVISION ONE: Wigan St Patrick’s v Batley Bulldogs; Huddersfield St Joseph’s v Barrow; Stanningley v Thornhill Trojans.
DIVISION TWO: Hull Wyke v West Leeds; East Leeds v Hunslet Warriors; Odsal Sedbergh v Liverpool University.
