Sapphire Series Kickoff weekend - Its back and bigger than ever!

The Sapphire Series returns this weekend and its bigger and better than ever before! The popularity of the Women’s game has never been so high, from participation to those watching on the sidelines and in front of the TV.

Image Courtesy of Andy Neale - Whizzyfingers Photography

 

The GB Women’s teams claimed an amazing silver medal performance last summer in the European Championships, which only helped the cause to recruit more player – and in turn more teams.

14 such teams from all around the UK will be fighting it out over the next few weeks, spread over three different competitions. The Top Tier will be a 7v7 format and feature the following teams.

BIRMINGHAM LIONS

DERBY BRAVES

HERTFORDSHIRE TORNADOES

LEEDS CARNEGIE

MANCHESTER TITANS

The next level will consist of 9 teams split over North and South

North Division

CHESTER ROMANS

EAST KILBRIDE PIRATES

EDINBURGH WOLVES

TEESDIE STEELERS

South Division

ICENI SPEARS

LONDON WARRIORS

PORTSMOUTH DESTROYERS

SANDWELL STEELERS

WEMBLEY STALLIONS

 

Each team will host a series of games (except Derby and Sandwell) with all teams playing twice on the day. All games count towards the overall standings after the 4 rounds of games, with the winner of each crowned as their divisions champions.

As said at the top the opening games are this weekend and we have all the details right here of who plays who and where.

ALL GAMES TO BE PLAYED SATURDAY FEBRUARY 27TH

DIVISION 1 – HOST – LEEDS CARNEGIE – Leeds Beckett University, Headingley Campus, Leeds, LS6 3QQ - START AT 3pm APPROX.

DERBY V LEEDS CARNEGIE

BIRMINGHAM V HERTFORDSHIRE

MANCHESTER V BIRMINGHAM

HERTFORDSHIRE V DERBY

LEEDS CARNEGIE V MANCHESTER

 

DIVISION 2 NORTH – HOST – EDNIBURGH WOLVES – Edinburgh, Queensferry RFC, EH30 9JN – START AT 1pm APPROX.

CHESTER V EDNIBURGH

EAST KILBRIDE V TEESIDE

EDINBURGH V EAST KILBRIDE

TEESIDE V CHESTER

 

DIVISION 2 SOUTH – HOST WEMBLEY STALLIONS – LPOSSA, 136 Greenford Road, Sudbury Hill, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 3QL – START AT 1pm APPROX.

WEMBLEY V LONDON

LONDON V ICENI

SANDWELL V PORTSMOUTH

PORTSMOUTH V WEMBLEY

ICENI V SANDWELL

 

We will have a full review of the action next week with scores and standings. Can anyone topple the juggernaut that has been the Birmingham Lions? They have a tough first game and that could set the tone for the Series.