Northumbria University are aiming to complete an impressive treble of Rugby League titles this week.
Northumbria’s Women’s team made history at the weekend, beating the University of Liverpool 8-0 to win the first Women’s University Winter League final.
On Wednesday it’s over to the Men at BUCS Big Wednesday in Loughborough, as their second team take on Loughborough 2s in the National Trophy Final at 3pm, before their first team resume their rivalry with Leeds Beckett at 7pm for the right to be crowned National Champions.
BUCS Big Wednesday, powered by New Balance, is a team finals event run by British Universities and Colleges Sport, featuring Championship and Trophy and Vase Finals across 16 sports.
Following the introduction of the Winter League – which also included teams from Loughborough, Manchester, Nottingham and Oxford - the RFL will continue to work with BUCS with a view to introducing an official University competition for Women’s Rugby League.
The first Final on Sunday was a huge success, with Sophie Price and player of the match Izzy Suggitt scoring first half tries for Northumbria playing up the famous slope at Featherstone’s Millennium Stadium, and a combination of Darcey Worth’s kicking game and resolute defence repelling Liverpool’s efforts to hit back.
Northumbria University have been a dominant force in Student Rugby League for a number of years, and have further strengthened their links with the Newcastle Thunder club in recent months.
Student Rugby League is now following in the footsteps of the last World Cup in terms of inclusion, with a landmark Wheelchair fixture between Brunel University and St Mary’s College in Uxbridge this week to follow the development of the Women’s Winter League.
