The Wooden Spoon Lionesses enjoyed a week long trip to Bermuda to participate in the World Rugby Classics Tournament. The annual event features teams from the top rugby playing nations, comprising of former international players. It is truly a festival of rugby and many big name stars have participated and were again on centre stage in 2007.

The Bermuda Classics Tournament is the perfect way for players to end their professional career. Players have come full circle; starting out as amateurs and playing purely for love of the game, to the end of their rugby careers and once again competing as amateurs. Players revel in the camaraderie of the tournament and it is a privilege and honour for the Lionesses to have been invited to participate in the event.

South Africans, Joost van de Westhuizen and Robbie Fleck joined Classic Lions, John O’Driscoll, Richard Wallace, John O’Neil, along with Frenchmen, Oliver Roumat, Emile N’tamack and New Zealanders, Bruce Hemara and Gordon Slater. The week long tournament saw the teams play two group games each before playing quarterfinals to determine progression through to the Cup or the Plate. The Classic Lions featured many players who have previously sported the Wooden Spoon Vets shirts and enjoyed the enthusiastic support from the Lionesses.

The Bermuda Classics tournament plays host to some of the world’s biggest corporates as well as the rugby legends. The Lionesses were invited for the fifth year to play an exhibition game before the men’s final on the Saturday. In the days prior to their game the girls spent their time training and promoting the work of Spoon as well as having a little R&R. The normal mode of transport around the island is scooters and there is no doubt that after the first few days, the crocodile of 19 red sweatshirts on bikes was instantly recognisable as the Lionesses! The team was also able to interact with the other teams and promote the work of the charity as well as making sure every spectator and player brandished a Wooden Spoon wristband!

The men’s matches saw some incredibly competitive rugby and the semi final between New Zealand and Australia went into two periods of extra time before golden points were scored from a drop goal for New Zealand. The usual game of 15 a-side over 30 minutes each way had lasted for over an hour and a half… Not bad for players over the age of 35. The standard in no way suffered as a consequence of the age of the players and the rugby mad fans were served up a feast of rugby.

Prior to the Women’s game the 2006 holders of the Plate, Canada played against former plate finalists, France and this year the result was revered. Played in severe rain the French ran in four tries to one. The 2006 winners, the Classic Lions relinquished their hold on the title in the semi final to eventual winners South Africa who swept aside New Zealand, 24-5 in the final.

The Lionesses comprised former Home Nations international players, who must be over the age of 30 with a minimum of 10 international caps for their respective country. In addition, the team made a first–time ‘Lion Cub’ selection by inviting Jackie Shiels who has yet to be selected for her country, Ireland, but great things are expected of her in the future. The team comprised some inspirational players such as former England captain, Gill Burns, and the most capped female player, Scotland’s Donna Kennedy. In total the team had over 890 caps between them. Their opposition this year was a Canadian Classics team who had been hastily compiled after the unfortunate withdrawal of France and the USA. Like the Lionesses, many of the Canadian players had played representative rugby for their country in previous years so had to dust their boots off!

Despite the on and off rain showers the game was played at a very high standard and both teams showed great technical skill. The Lionesses looked to play an exciting wide game and given the superior strength of their back line along with the effective forwards play, they quickly demonstrated their ability to draw in the defence before swinging the ball.  The first try came from winger Sarah Marsh and this effectively opened the flood gates for the rest of the team to get in on the act. In keeping with the spirit of the tournament, the Lionesses opted not to kick any conversions and were happy to score points from tries. They ran in 11 in total, keeping a blank against the score sheet. The score line didn’t totally do justice to the competitiveness of the game and the Canadians put up a tough defensive line often frustrating the Lionesses. The final score was 55-0.

Among the spectators were well known Hollywood stars and Bermudan residents, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones with whom the team was fortunate to have their picture taken. Also watching were rugby Legends JPR Williams and Willie John McBride. The team were more than pleased to hear Willie John say that their match had been “the best technical rugby he had seen all week.”

So what next? Well the Lionesses, much as they enjoy the Bermuda fixture, are looking to play more games, and promote the women’s game and Wooden Spoon further. The formation of a team from England, Ireland. Scotland and Wales has had its short term success, and the desire now is for Wooden Spoon and the management to take this forward.

Manager and Coach, Karen Findlay said: “These girls used to rip strips off each other on the pitch, they knew little about one another outside 80 minutes of fiercely contested rugby and it is fantastic that in the twilight of their playing careers they are able to come together, unite and play as one team for the good of, and the promotion, of Women’s rugby and Wooden Spoon. No other team exists to provide such camaraderie.  We are really keen and excited to build upon this success, and further strengthen the unique bond this team has formed. We want get as many players involved as possible and widen the Wooden Spoon net.”

Plans are already in place to organise a fixture in 2008 between the Lionesses and a World XV. Watch this space, for its going to be fun.