Last updated 21:43, Thursday, 31 July 2008

Two former Tynedale schoolgirls played their part in helping England under 20 women’s rugby team win the inaugural Nations Cup in Toronto.

Juliet Short (left) who plays for Darlington Mowden Park Sharks and Sarah Graham, (right) who plays for Lichfield, both learned to play the game with Tynedale Panthers.

England defeated Canada 31-5 and then Wales 14-3 to qualify to meet Canada again in the final, winning 30-7 in a game played in a torrential downpour for the whole 80 minutes.

As well, they defeated Canada A 22-5 so winning all four games that were played in a 10 day period.

Sarah played in two of the games at centre while the versatile Juliet played in all four, starting at second row in the final.

She played second row and No 8 in the other three games with a stint at open side in one game to cover as a blood replacement, moving over from second row.

Juliet has been selected for the Super 4 trials in August which acts as a trial for the England Elite squad – even though she still has two years left as an under 20- player.

Juliet said: “The trip to Canada was hard work and a great insight into the life of a professional rugby player.

“ We were up at 07.00 for recovery in the swimming pool and ice baths before breakfast, and the rest of the day was spent in training and analysis as all the games were videoed, with only a few hours to ourselves.

“ With four very physical games in 10 days, there was not a lot of time for tourism though we did get into Toronto and visit Niagara Falls.

“The management team were great and looked after us really well, both off and on the pitch, and put together brilliant motivational programmes for us each game.”

Juliet’s brother Chris, the former Tynedale hooker, is now a regular with the French club Brive.

Juliet had a special thank you to all her sponsors – - Tynedale Sports Council, Norseman Travel, RHK, Abstractbottles, Ensafe Consultants, Corporate Architecture Ltd and Clem's Pirates and Gosforth Rugby Clubs.